MBABANE – Eswatini’s honey and bee products sector could receive an investment injection of E230 million under a proposed Sector Development Programme Agreement (SDPA) aimed at transforming the industry, expanding production and positioning honey as a key contributor to rural livelihoods and economic growth.
The proposal was presented by consultant Bobbie Pennington during a Value Chain and Fire Management Plans Validation Meeting held at the Hilton Garden Inn on Thursday. The workshop was organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs’ Department of Forestry in collaboration with the World Bank through the PROGREEN programme.
Pennington’s presentation, titled “Proposed SDPA Investment Structure”, outlined an ambitious programme designed to strengthen every stage of the honey value chain, from production and processing to marketing and quality assurance.
According to the proposal, the largest allocation of E74 million is earmarked for production and hive expansion. This includes E48 million for improved hives and transport equipment, E18 million for apiary establishment and forage enhancement, and E8 million for fire management and climate resilience measures aimed at protecting bee populations and production systems.
Infrastructure development would receive E58 million. Planned investments include four certified honey processing hubs valued at E21 million, cold rooms and storage facilities costing E10 million, and E9 million each for collection centres and beeswax value-addition initiatives. Additional funding is proposed for quality testing laboratories and apiary security infrastructure, including firebreaks.
Market development, branding and quality assurance initiatives account for E30 million of the proposed investment. The programme seeks to establish a national honey brand, strengthen market promotion efforts, improve export readiness certification, and enhance traceability, labelling and enforcement systems to improve consumer confidence and access to higher-value markets.
A further E36 million has been allocated for extension services and institutional support. The funding would support a national apiculture extension programme, beekeeper training and certification, as well as cooperative development and governance structures intended to strengthen industry coordination.
The proposal also sets aside E32 million for finance and programme management, including blended finance mechanisms, guarantees, programme coordination, monitoring and evaluation systems, data management and contingency funding.
Under the proposed financing structure, government would contribute 30 per cent of the total investment, amounting to approximately E69 million, while the private sector and public-private partnerships would provide the remaining 70 per cent, estimated at E161 million.
However, the presentation acknowledged uncertainty around implementation, noting that it remains unclear how and when the proposed programme would be financed.
The proposed investment plan formed part of broader discussions on strengthening forest-based value chains and improving wildfire management systems in Eswatini.
Speaking during the meeting, Senior Forestry Officer Mbhekeni Nxumalo said the country was facing increasing pressure on natural resources due to climate change, drought, invasive alien plant species and growing wildfire risks. He said these challenges highlighted the need for sustainable forest management systems that balance environmental protection with economic development.
Nxumalo said forests should not be viewed solely as conservation assets but also as opportunities for economic growth and job creation.
“This initiative is significant because it recognises that forests are not only about conservation. They are also about opportunity,” he said.
He noted that forest-related industries, including honey and bee products, have the potential to support rural economies, encourage community participation and attract investment into products with strong market value.
“From timber and bark to honey and related bee products, the development of forest-based value chains can create meaningful benefits for communities, private enterprises and the nation,” Nxumalo said.
He stressed that sustainable use of forest resources must remain central to all development efforts to ensure long-term benefits while protecting the ecological integrity of the country’s forests.
Nxumalo also underscored the importance of the fire management component of the programme, saying wildfires can destroy years of progress within moments by damaging biodiversity, property and livelihoods while placing pressure on government resources and emergency services.
He said work being undertaken on wildfire impact assessments, hotspot mapping, policy reviews and the development of an integrated forest fire management roadmap would help strengthen preparedness and reduce future risks.
The senior forestry officer called for collaboration among government, development partners, private sector players, non-governmental organisations and communities to ensure the success of the proposed interventions.
“To our community members, I wish to say your role is central. You are the custodians of the land where many of these interventions will take place,” he said.
Nxumalo further thanked the World Bank and other development partners for supporting efforts to strengthen forest management systems and promote sustainable economic opportunities linked to forestry resources.
He urged stakeholders to ensure that the plans being validated are practical, implementable and responsive to realities on the ground, saying they have the potential to strengthen the forest sector, protect natural resources and build resilient livelihoods for future generations.
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