MBABANE – Eswatini has begun 2026 on a remarkably strong footing after recording its fastest quarterly economic expansion in more than a year.
This is despite persistent global economic uncertainty characterised by slowing international trade, geopolitical tensions, elevated borrowing costs and weakening consumer demand in many parts of the world.
The country’s real gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 6.1 per cent during the first quarter of 2026 compared with the corresponding quarter of 2025.
This, according to the stats, shows broad-based economic resilience that was underpinned by manufacturing, construction, mining, information and communication technologies, tourism-related activities and professional services.
The latest Quarterly GDP Bulletin released by the Central Statistical Office (CSO) shows that the performance represents an improvement from the 1.1 per cent year-on-year growth recorded during the first quarter of 2025, illustrating the pace at which economic activity has accelerated over the past 12 months.
While many economies continue grappling with subdued investment and slowing industrial production following years of global economic disruptions, Eswatini’s latest figures suggest that domestic production, infrastructure investment and private sector activity continue to provide important buffers against external shocks.
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Construction biggest growth driver
MBABANE – One of the most striking features of the latest GDP report is the exceptional performance of the construction industry.
Construction expanded by an impressive 33.3 per cent, making it the fastest-growing major productive sector in the economy during the quarter.
The surge suggests continued investment in both public and private infrastructure projects, which not only contribute directly to GDP, but also stimulate demand across several supporting industries including manufacturing, transport, wholesale trade and professional services.
Construction’s strong performance comes at a time when government has prioritised infrastructure development as part of broader efforts to stimulate investment, create employment and improve national competitiveness.
Meanwhile, manufacturing once again demonstrated why it remains the backbone of Eswatini’s productive economy.
The sector grew by 12.4 per cent during the first quarter while continuing to account for approximately 24.7 per cent of GDP, making it the country’s single largest productive industry.
The sector’s sustained expansion is particularly significant because manufacturing generates substantial export earnings, supports thousands of jobs and drives demand across agriculture, logistics, financial services and energy.
Combined with robust construction growth, manufacturing largely explains why the secondary sector became the strongest-performing segment of the economy.
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