Govt to Roll Out Major Land, Energy Reforms in 2025/26

MBABANE — The government is set to introduce wide-ranging reforms across the land, mining, energy, and water sectors in the 2025/26 financial year, a move aimed at stimulating economic growth and improving service delivery.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy’s latest annual report, these reforms will feature new legislative frameworks, the adoption of advanced technologies, and enhanced resource management strategies. Key highlights include:

1. Digital Resource Management and Information System (DRMIS):
   • Designed to streamline land allocation, licensing, and compliance for the farming and mining sectors.
   • Expected to reduce administrative bottlenecks, increase transparency, and improve data accuracy.
2. Land Information Management System (LIMS):
   • Will manage land boundaries, surveying, and title registration.
   • Aims to address historical land issues by improving the clarity and security of land ownership.
3. Water Sector Overhaul:
   • Establishment of a Water Affairs Division (WAD) under the Ministry of Water Resources to ensure sustainable water supply for domestic and commercial use.
   • Introduction of regulations to tackle water pollution and promote integrated water resource management.
4. Energy Market Liberalization:
   • Plans to open up the energy market to private investors, with incentives for renewable energy projects, such as solar and wind power.
   • Modernization of the national power grid to improve efficiency, reliability, and affordability of electricity.
   • New policy frameworks aimed at enhancing public-private partnerships and supporting a clean energy transition.

Speaking at a recent press briefing, Minister for Natural Resources and Energy, Prince Lonkhokhelo, highlighted the importance of these reforms in boosting productivity and promoting sustainable growth. “Our vision is to create a modern, efficient, and inclusive economy. The upcoming reforms will not only address long-standing challenges in land and water management but also pave the way for an innovative and greener energy sector.”

To finance these initiatives, the government is collaborating with development partners such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Early discussions suggest that international support could provide both funding and technical expertise, accelerating the implementation of these large-scale reforms.

Local business leaders and economists have largely welcomed the announcements. They note that improved infrastructure, regulatory clarity, and enhanced access to energy and water resources could make the country more attractive to foreign investors while also benefiting local communities.

Analysts believe the successful execution of these reforms could unlock new job opportunities, stimulate export growth, and contribute to the overall competitiveness of the economy. If managed effectively, the 2025/26 period could mark a significant turning point in the nation’s development trajectory—setting the stage for inclusive, sustainable growth in the decades to come.