Manzini- The Government is moving to transform the Eswatini Environment Fund into a Mega Fund that will serve as the country’s central financing mechanism for environmental and climate action.
Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Honourable Jane Mkhonta- Simelane announced the plan during the Eswatini Environment Fund 2026/27 Grants Award Ceremony, saying the new structure would bring together funding from government, the private sector and international climate financiers to support the country’s most pressing environmental priorities.
“The transformation is not aspirational; it is underway,” the Minister declared, describing the initiative as a major step towards strengthening Eswatini’s ability to finance environmental protection and climate resilience.
She said the current funding model was no longer sufficient to meet growing demand for environmental projects, prompting Government to pursue a more sustainable and coordinated financing framework.
Mkhonta- Simelane also directed the Fund’s Board of Trustees to review the current grant ceiling of E300,000 per project, saying it no longer reflects the real cost of implementing meaningful environmental interventions. She further instructed the Board to mobilise additional resources to expand the annual funding envelope beyond its current allocation.
The announcement came as eight community-based projects from across the country’s four regions were awarded grants under the 2026/27 funding cycle. The projects focus on sustainable water management, biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management, chemicals and waste management, research and food security.
Among the successful beneficiaries are two businesses receiving support for the first time, including a youth-owned waste management enterprise in Mbabane that is creating employment while addressing environmental challenges. A school project aimed at producing crops and vegetables for learners from vulnerable households and research into the conservation of the indigenous Sibhaha plant also received funding.
Addressing the grant recipients, Mkhonta- Simelane reminded them that the funding must be used strictly for the approved project activities and urged them to implement their projects within the agreed timelines.
She also appealed to the private sector to invest in environmental and climate initiatives, saying government alone could not shoulder the financial burden of protecting the country’s natural resources.
The legislator said the Mega Fund would position Eswatini to better coordinate climate finance while empowering communities to play a leading role in conserving the country’s environment for future generations.
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