BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE — Eswatini’s national finances have received a major boost with the arrival of the long-awaited E2.6 billion Southern African Customs Union (SACU) tranche, which officially landed in government accounts on Friday, 3 October 2025.
Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg confirmed the development today, noting that the funds have been successfully transferred from the SACU revenue pool and are now reflected in the national accounts. The tranche represents Eswatini’s share of customs revenue collected within the Southern African Customs Union region.
“The E2.6 billion has been received and is now in government accounts. This timely inflow will support the implementation of government programmes and contribute towards stabilising public finances,” said Minister Rijkenberg.
Strengthening the Fiscal Position
The arrival of the SACU funds is expected to ease budgetary pressures and enable government to honour key commitments, including funding critical public services, infrastructure projects, and development programmes across the country.
SACU revenues remain one of Eswatini’s largest sources of income, making this tranche a significant contributor to the country’s fiscal stability.
Economic Confidence Boost
The timely disbursement of SACU funds also sends a positive signal to investors, development partners, and citizens, demonstrating Eswatini’s consistent access to regional revenue mechanisms. This financial injection is expected to support government operations in the short term while also strengthening economic confidence in the medium term.
Responsible and Strategic Use
Minister Rijkenberg emphasised that transparent and strategic use of the funds remains a top priority. The Ministry of Finance will channel the money towards priority sectors and ensure proper oversight to maximise its impact.
“Our focus is on maintaining fiscal discipline while ensuring that the funds are used to drive real development and improve service delivery for emaSwati,” he added.
A Positive Step Forward
The successful receipt of the E2.6 billion SACU share marks a positive turning point for the 2025/26 financial year, giving government the financial space to accelerate its development agenda and strengthen public service delivery.
