Swaziland : using public transfers to reduce extreme poverty

Swaziland has a number of social transfer programs, but these are not well coordinated and there is a need to better define the overall priorities of the overall safety net. Swaziland spends a significant amount on safety nets but there is room to increase the efficiency of spending by: (i) improving coordination between programs; (ii) making adjustments to program design and implementation; and (iii) removing some inefficient programs. Social transfers could play a larger role in reducing poverty but there are gaps in how well the safety net supports extremely poor households with children and/or unemployed household members. The assessment recommends that Swaziland should consider adopting a national child grant program and a public works program to fill these gaps.