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" Real benefit of the deal would be in making fuel supply more regular

However, it seems reports that the little country had secured access to crude oil from Equatorial Guinea might have been a little premature and the really good news is limited to a new railway line that will boost trade in the SADC region, relieve congestion on existing lines and bring much-needed revenue to the economically distressed kingdom.

Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Africa's longest-serving head of state, was in Swaziland last week for bilateral talks with King Mswati III.

Various media reports said on Friday that a deal had been struck for the north African country - described by Time magazine as an "oil-soaked kleptocracy" - to supply Swaziland with crude oil. But, according to Thembinkosi Mamba, Swaziland's principal secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, the deal is at very early stages of discussion.

Mamba said the oil would need to be refined in South Africa, probably in Durban, and then either trucked or railed into the country.

Negotiations have yet to begin with the South African refineries and various other logistics also need to be worked out.

Swaziland Fuel Retailers Association chairman Harry Nxumalo said the real benefit of the deal would be in making fuel supply to the country more regular.

Currently all five of Swaziland's oil companies get their fuel from the Island View refinery in Durban.

Any hiccups along the supply chain, including strikes or train delays, therefore affect the entire country's fuel supply.

Fuel is generally cheaper in Swaziland than it is in South Africa because fewer levies are imposed on the price.

Crude oil imports might be at a nascent stage of negotiation, but the same is not true for a R7.3-billion, 146km rail link between Sidvokodvo in Swaziland and Lothair in Mpumalanga. Swazi Rail CEO Gideon Mahlalela, who is chairing planning meetings between Transnet Freight Rail, Swazi Rail and Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Mocambique (CFR), said, building would start in two years time.

In addition to this new line, upgrades to existing lines from Sidvokodvo to Richards Bay and from Sidvokodvo to Maputo will also be made.

One of the most exciting benefits of the project, said Mahlalela, is that it will increase trade between African countries. He said previous administrations in Africa built railway lines from mines directly to ports, which negated any possibility of them being used as vehicles to enhance trade.

The rail authorities involved in the project envision it becoming a "developmental corridor", with industries and factories being created along the route.

There are currently no plans to include a passenger service, but it is a possibility for the future.

Mahlalela said there is a great deal of political will to get this project off the ground because of the long-term benefits it will bring.

He said banks in Swaziland and South Africa, have indicated that they are interested in helping to finance the project, which is a collaboration between SA, Swaziland and Mozambique.

Swaziland's share of the bill will be in the region of about R5-billion.