Africa Daily
Africa Daily
Is Eswatini’s planned new airline a good idea?
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11 April 2022
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Eswatini is a small country of just over a million people which is facing big problems.
Last year dozens of people died after a crackdown on pro-democracy protests– and in 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic led to the economy shrinking. According to World Bank estimates, nearly 40% of its population lives on less than two dollars a day.
Now the government is planning the launch of a national airline – its second such venture after its previous airline folded.
So will this help boost trade and tourism – or just saddle the country with more debt?
Mpho Lakaje explores the issue for this week’s #AfricaDaily.
Presenter: Mpho Lakaje @mpholakaje
Guests:
Xavier Masule, commercial director at Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation.
Sanele Sibiya, University of Eswatini.