Impact of Microprojects Program on Poverty Alleviation in Rural and Peri-urban Eswatini / Swaziland

The aim of the study was to determine the variables explaining and predicting the impact of Microprojects Programme (MPP). Purposive stratified samples of infrastructure projects target beneficiaries were drawn. A descriptive-correlational survey was conducted in the four administrative regions of Eswatini whose projects were within 2009 to 2011. Four different projects (cattle dip tanks, rural electrification, water supply schemes, and neighborhood care points) of the MPP were used in the study. A questionnaire containing both ratings and factual items was developed, validated and pretested before collecting data. The analyses used were percentages, means, standard deviations and multiple linear stepwise regression. Results showed that the MPP infrastructure projects made impact towards poverty alleviation on five of eleven measures but with high response variance: Human rights, basic needs, quality of life, access to public goods and services, and on consumption and diet. Most substantial amount of funding was invested on water supply schemes. The importance of knowledge and skills from MPP project development trainings were very highly rated with low response variance in: MPP procedures; group dynamics; project sustainability; and project management. Knowledge and skills attained through MPP trainings were found very effective especially in project planning and management. Beneficiaries’ attitudes were described by them with semantics: valuable, beneficial, successful and effective. Positive attitudes developed from MPP training, project type - rural electrification, and administrative region - northern Hhohho, explained the impact of MPP in descending order; while project type had the highest impact weight followed by positive attitudes developed and the administrative region. The MPP infrastructure projects have had some forms of impact but overall, only slightly positive. In order to improve service delivery, MPP has to decentralize its services and advertize its programs through radio, TV, and printed materials for better information reach.