LocationsLight on the Horizon for Remote Community
June 16, 2026
Excitement at Bulimeni as soon as the contractor to construct a mini grid.
Excitement filled the air at Bulimeni, a remote community on the outskirts of Manzini, as residents, government officials, development partners and community leaders gathered to celebrate the commencement of construction of a solar-powered mini-grid that promises to transform lives and livelihoods.
Women broke into song and dance as they welcomed representatives of the contractor, SBM Projects, who will construct the mini grid that will bring electricity to households that have lived without power for generations.
For many at Bulimeni, the ceremony held on June 12 marked more than the start of a construction project. It signalled the beginning of new opportunities, improved living conditions and a future powered by clean, renewable energy.
Women erupted into song and dance as the celebrated the commencement of the construction of the mini grid.
Expanding Access to Clean Energy
The mini grid is being developed under the Africa Minigrids Programme (AMP), a country-led initiative operating in 21 African countries. The programme is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the African Development Bank, the Rocky Mountain Institute, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, and the Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA).
The project is part of broader efforts to achieve universal access to clean and affordable energy in Eswatini. While Eswatini has made significant progress in expanding national electricity access over the years to over 80%, remote communities such as Bulimeni remain among the most difficult and costly to connect through conventional grid infrastructure. The Africa Minigrids Programme seeks to address this challenge by promoting renewable energy solutions that can reach underserved communities while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting sustainable development.
The Bulimeni project will establish a 65-kilowatt peak solar photovoltaic mini-grid supported by 165 kilowatt-hours of battery storage. The system is designed to provide electricity to approximately 168 customers, including households and businesses, while demonstrating an innovative model for delivering sustainable energy to remote communities.
UNDP Resident Representative, Henrik Franklin.
Ending Energy Poverty
For residents such as Khombisile Nhlengethwa, the project addresses challenges that have long hindered development in the community.
She explained that women and girls spend countless hours collecting firewood from surrounding forests, often exposing themselves to dangerous snakes and the risk of injury.
"The use of firewood also contributes to deforestation and environmental degradation," she said.
Without electricity, households have been unable to use refrigeration to preserve food and medicines. Women who received training in income-generating activities such as sewing have struggled to establish businesses because they lacked power.
Those realities could soon become a thing of the past.
Undersecretary–Technical at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, Gabsile Mabuza
Turning Electricity into Economic Opportunity
Speaking during the ceremony, UNDP Resident Representative Henrik Franklin, emphasised that the project is about much more than installing solar panels.
"One of the most important lessons emerging from mini-grid development across Africa is that electricity alone is not enough," he said. "For communities to realise the full benefits of electrification, electricity must become a tool for economic transformation."
To ensure the long-term sustainability of the mini-grid, the project includes a strong Productive Use of Energy component that seeks to stimulate local enterprise development and job creation. Potential business opportunities identified for the community include baking, sewing, welding, grocery enterprises and hammer milling activities.
These opportunities are expected to be particularly beneficial for women and young people, enabling them to use electricity not only for household consumption but also to generate income and build resilient livelihoods.
Government Backs Rural Development
Speaking at the same event, the Undersecretary–Technical at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, Gabsile Mabuza, congratulated the community on the initiative and reaffirmed the Government's commitment to supporting efforts that expand access to energy and stimulate socio-economic development in the area.
She acknowledged the challenges posed by the poor road infrastructure leading to the community and expressed optimism that access to electricity would help transform the area, unlock economic opportunities, and accelerate the development envisioned by the Government for its citizens.
“I’d like to urge you to ensure that the mini grid is safe and well maintained,” she said. Mabuza further appreciated the support from GEF, UNDP and partners for this initiative.
ESERA CEO, Skhumbuzo Tsabedze, appreciated the community for their patience and dedication as the project is implemented.
A New Model for Rural Electrification
The Bulimeni mini grid represents a new approach to rural electrification in Eswatini. Unlike traditional infrastructure projects, the selected developer has been contracted not only to design and construct the system, but also to help finance, operate and maintain it for a period of 20 years.
This innovative business model aims to demonstrate how partnerships between government, communities, development partners and the private sector can make rural electrification both sustainable and commercially viable.