Project Summary

Project General Description

The Development of Manzini Golf Course Interchange Project in Eswatini involves the upgrading of the junction to a grade separated interchange at an estimated cost of USD 37.53 million (UA26.244 million) to be implemented over 38 months (2018-2022). It is a critical node on the country’s only eastwest transboundary road corridor (MR3) that connects the country with South Africa (at Ngwenya) and Mozambique (at Lomahasha). The MR3 is a designated SADC regional road used as a facilitator for regional trade and integration for the region as a whole. The road also importantly passes through the country’s capital Mbabane and the second largest city Manzini as well as the industrial town of Mustapha. It is of both national and regional importance that provides a vital connecting point for the country and regional East-West Road corridor link. The high traffic volumes comprising of urban, national and regional traffic have constrained the capacity of the intersection that is no longer able to functional safely. Urgent intervention is needed to upgrade and improve its condition and ensure that it continues to optimally operate and contribute to the urban, national and regional economy. This intervention lies at the start of the on-going expansion of Manzini-Mbadlane (MR3) project financed by the Bank and will complement and improve functionality of the MR3 thus maximising its developmental impact on the economy. The project components include: (i) infrastructure investments and technical support; (ii) Project Management; and (iii) Cross cutting measures.

Project Objectives

The project aims to support the country’s growth through investing in safe, efficient and cost-effective transport systems that contribute to improving regional trade connectivity and improves mobility in the urban areas thereby opening up opportunities for economic activities, access to social economic services and jobs. The specific objective is to provide an efficient cost effective and safe transport system. The project will positively impact (i) vehicle operating costs; (ii) travel time between regional and urban centres; and (iii) road safety through reduced road accidents on the MR3. The project is also expected to provide gender balanced job opportunities for skilled/semi-skilled Emaswati.

Beneficiaries

The project will not only provide benefits for the population of over 250,000 in Manzini City but also influence nearby satellite cities including Matsapha - the industrial heartland - and the country and region at large. The population in Manzini will directly benefit through efficient and safe transport that will enable urban dwellers to access social economic services and job opportunities. The intersection will enable easy and efficient access by taxis, cars, and other public transport. Small-scale commercial and agriculture activities will also directly benefit through reduced transport costs of inputs and produce along the value chain. The industrial city of Matsapha with a broad manufacturing base in textiles, metal works, food processing, paper mills, engineering, beverage processing, building and construction, and others, provides employment to a population of over 30,000.

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