Mbabane – The Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE) on Monday signed a major construction contract for Phase 1B of the Mpakeni–Ngwavuma Water Augmentation Project, marking a key step in the country’s long term water security drive.
Speaking at the signing ceremony on 23 February 2026, EWADE Chief Executive Officer Dr Samson Sithole said the agreement covers the Main Conveyance Pipeline that will transport water from the Mpakeni Dam, currently under construction.
The 36 kilometre high grade steel pipeline will have diameters ranging from DN2000 to DN1800 and is designed to supply irrigation schemes in Sigwe Maloma, Mconcwane Mcathuvane and St Philips, covering about 4,600 hectares of farmland.
Dr Sithole said the pipeline forms part of a wider national investment intended to transform agriculture and water access in the country’s dry lowveld.
“This pipeline is part of a much larger national investment. It will carry water from the Mpakeni Dam, which is currently under construction under MNWAP Phase 1A,” he said.
Construction of the dam has reached 44 percent completion as of the end of January 2026, with overall completion targeted for April 2028.
Phase 1B started about a year later than initially planned after the project had to be re tendered to comply with procurement requirements of the African Development Bank, one of the financiers.
According to EWADE, the retender process attracted strong international interest and followed a three stage evaluation that included preliminary screening, detailed technical assessment and post qualification checks.
The contract has been awarded to GVPR Engineers Limited after meeting all technical, financial and experience requirements under the bank’s rules.
The project is valued at approximately ZAR 1.78 billion and is expected to take 36 months to complete.
Although full completion of the Main Conveyance is projected for 2029, authorities say water delivery will begin earlier because sections of the pipeline can be commissioned in stages.
“As each section is constructed, pressure tested, and becomes hydraulically operational, water can start flowing into parts of the network even while other downstream sections are still under construction,” Dr Sithole said.
“This means farmers and communities will begin to experience progressive water availability well before full project completion. The people will not wait until 2029 to see value.”
He said the project will rely on gravity to deliver water to irrigation systems, removing the need for pumping and reducing electricity costs, which often make irrigation expensive for farmers.
Dr Sithole also called on the contractor to prioritise quality, safety and environmental standards while creating employment opportunities for emaSwati and involving local subcontractors.
“We also encourage GVPR Engineers Limited to promote the participation of local contractors in the execution of the project,” he said.
The CEO expressed appreciation to the African Development Bank for continued support and to government, traditional leaders and communities along the pipeline route for cooperation.
“MNWAP Phase 1B represents more than engineering; it is a lifeline that links investment to impact, dam to field, and potential to prosperity,” he said.
He added that together with Phase 1A, the project is expected to strengthen food security, boost agribusiness, create jobs and improve resilience to climate change.
“Today, we sign a contract. Tomorrow, we begin building a future.”
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