Shiselweni Region

Shiselweni is Eswatini's southern region—the kingdom's periphery bordering South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province, where infrastructure deficits and climate vulnerability compound to create persistent poverty. Electricity access stands at only 63% (versus 86% nationally), though the Network Reinforcement and Access Project (NRAP) has connected 4,751 households, increasing grid-connected residents from 127,892 to 146,896. The urban center falls under IPC Phase 2 (Stressed), with 10% classified Phase 3 or worse—facing prolonged dry spells, high food prices, elevated poverty, and unemployment. The Multidimensional Poverty Index shows 7.9% headcount with 25.6% vulnerable—slightly better than Lubombo but still among Eswatini's most disadvantaged areas. WFP supported 5,265 people across 27 Neighbourhood Care Points in Shiselweni and Lubombo, ensuring food for 820 children while empowering communities to cultivate crops. The Sustainable Market-Led Program (SMLP) targets Shiselweni alongside Lubombo and Manzini, reaching over 71,000 beneficiaries (82% female-headed households). Like Lubombo, Shiselweni represents the development challenge of Eswatini's southern tier: too far from the Manzini-Mbabane corridor's economic gravity, too dependent on rain-fed agriculture in an era of increasing drought, and too disconnected from the services that flow to the kingdom's core.