Overview

Swaziland joined the World Bank in 1969. Since then, World Bank assistance on 14 projects has helped the country work towards achieving economic growth and a reduction in poverty.

The World Bank’s engagement with Swaziland over the last decade has been relatively limited, with only a single loan having been granted, in 1996, for the Urban Development Project.

The World Bank continues to work jointly with the government of Swaziland in areas of policy dialogue, economic research, and technical assistance, and is preparing a follow-up project to the Urban Development Project and an HIV/AIDS project jointly with development partners. Recent research in Swaziland has included a Public Expenditure Review and an Investment Climate Assessment. In addition, the Bank has provided direct technical assistance in areas related to the health sector, and has provided funding, through the Cities Alliance program, to develop an upgrading and financing plan for the capital city of Mbabane.

In March 2008, the World Bank launched an Interim Strategy for Swaziland for a period of 24 months. The strategy presents a scaled-up Bank program for Swaziland focusing on HIV/AIDS, improving governance and increasing competitiveness.

For more information on how the World Bank is supporting Swaziland, please refer to the Country Brief.