Eswatini is turning to digital technology and data-driven water management to strengthen water security, improve resource allocation, and support the country’s transition towards a green economy.
The Joint River Basin Authorities–Project Board (JRBA-PB) is showcasing smart water management technologies and investment opportunities at the 2026 Eswatini International Trade Fair.
The exhibition, held under the theme “Smart Water Management for a Green Economy,” forms part of the wider trade fair theme, “Unlocking Green Economy Opportunities for Sustainable Trade Promotion.”
The showcase demonstrates how digital tools can improve the monitoring, management, and allocation of water resources while helping the country respond to climate-related pressures and growing demand from communities and economic sectors.
One of the key technologies on display is the HydroNET platform, which is supported by 15 telemetric monitoring stations installed across Eswatini’s river systems. The platform provides real-time data on rainfall, river flows, dam levels, and dam operations, while also supporting forecasting and early-warning functions.
The JRBA-PB says access to timely water information can help authorities and other stakeholders make faster and more informed decisions, particularly during periods of changing rainfall and water availability. The organisation is also showcasing the National Water Use Database and an interactive dashboard developed from a national survey covering the Lomati, Komati, Mbuluzi, and Ngwavuma River Basins.
The database captures information on water use across different sectors, including irrigated areas, crop types, water sources, and abstraction volumes. The interactive dashboard enables users to examine water-use patterns and gain a clearer understanding of how the country’s water resources are being utilised.
Another feature of the exhibition is the SIRHA Water Resources Information Management System, a digital platform designed to strengthen water governance and improve the management of water users, permits, and allocation records.
The system allows water-permit applications and related processes to be managed digitally, while spatial mapping tools provide information on water users, abstraction points, and river basin resources. According to the JRBA-PB, digitalising these processes can improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability in water-resource management while supporting evidence-based decision-making.
The organisation is also using the trade fair to highlight progress on River Basin Management Plans for the Ngwavuma-Pongola and Mbuluzi Basins. The plans assess existing water resources, future demand, and key challenges while identifying interventions required to strengthen water security and climate resilience.
Climate and investment initiatives featured at the exhibition include the Blue Deal Project, the African Union Africa Investment Programme (AU-AIP) Readiness Project, the Green Climate Fund Readiness Project, and Global Environment Facility initiatives.
The JRBA-PB is also highlighting investment opportunities in water infrastructure, including the expansion of river gauging stations and improved water metering for authorised water users. The organisation’s “Know Your River Basin” campaign is another component of the exhibition. The campaign seeks to improve public understanding of Eswatini’s river systems and promote greater awareness of the importance of protecting water resources.
The initiative reflects the growing recognition that water security is closely linked to economic development, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability. For Eswatini, the deployment of smart water technologies offers an opportunity to improve how scarce water resources are monitored and allocated while creating a stronger foundation for sustainable investment.
The JRBA-PB’s showcase therefore positions digital water management not simply as a technological upgrade, but as part of a broader strategy to build a more resilient and sustainable green economy.
