OPEC Fund and Eswatini sign first Country Partnership Framework to advance sustainable development

August 17, 2026: The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) and the Kingdom of Eswatini have signed a Country Partnership Framework (CPF) providing up to US$250 million in financing over the period 2026-2029 for priority investments in water, energy and health. The framework will guide the next phase of cooperation between the OPEC Fund and the Southern African nation of 1.2 million people.

OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said at the signing in the capital Mbabane:

"This accord reflects our shared ambition to deepen a partnership built over nearly two decades. By focusing on water, energy and health, we will support investments that strengthen essential services, resilience and sustainable growth for the people of Eswatini."

During his visit, President Alkhalifa was received by His Majesty King Mswati III and discussions focused on Eswatini's development priorities and opportunities to further strengthen cooperation. He also met Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini and Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg to progress the implementation of the partnership framework and the country's economic and development agenda.

A meeting with Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka focused on the cooperation in agriculture and the implementation of the Mkhondvo-Ngwavuma Water Augmentation Programme. The OPEC Fund is supporting Phase 2 with a US$20 million loan together with the African Development Bank and BADEA, co-financing the construction of the Mpakeni Dam and related irrigation and on-farm infrastructure. The dam is a major infrastructure project and upon completion will support the irrigation of up to 30,000 hectares of farmland, strengthening food security, agricultural production and rural livelihoods.

The OPEC Fund has worked with Eswatini since 2007 and to date has approved eight public sector loans totaling US$138 million across the transport, water and sanitation, health and agriculture sectors as well as supporting economic reforms.

While in Eswatini, President Alkhalifa also visited the OPEC Fund-supported Lower Usuthu Smallholder Irrigation Project and the Mkhondvo-Ngwavuma Water Augmentation Programme, major strategic water and agricultural development initiatives managed by the government's Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE).

About the OPEC Fund

The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is the only globally mandated development institution that provides financing from member countries to non-member countries exclusively. The organization works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international development community to stimulate economic growth and social progress in low- and middle-income countries around the world. The OPEC Fund was established in 1976 with a distinct purpose: to drive development, strengthen communities and empower people. Our work is people-centered, focusing on financing projects that meet essential needs, such as food, energy, infrastructure, employment (particularly relating to MSMEs), clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education. To date, the OPEC Fund has committed more than US$32 billion to development projects in over 125 countries. These projects represent a total value exceeding US$240 billion, equivalent to approximately US$7.50 mobilized for every US$1 committed by the OPEC Fund. The OPEC Fund is rated AA+/Outlook Positive by Fitch and AA+, Outlook Stable by S&P. Our vision is a world where sustainable development is a reality for all.