BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – The Government of Eswatini has delivered encouraging news to businesses across the country, confirming that all outstanding payments to suppliers are expected to be fully settled by January 2026.
The assurance, given by Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg, signals a strong commitment to restoring confidence, stabilising cash flow and strengthening partnerships between government and the private sector.
Minister Rijkenberg made the announcement on Monday, 15 December 2025, during a Finance in Focus engagement held in Mbabane. He expressed confidence that a combination of strategic financing arrangements and improved revenue inflows would place government in a strong position to honour its obligations to suppliers in full early in the new year.
According to the minister, four key financial developments are set to ease government’s cash flow challenges and unlock timely payments.
Firstly, Eswatini has secured a significant loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) amounting to US$47.5 million, equivalent to approximately E800.7 million. Minister Rijkenberg revealed that these funds are expected to flow into the country within days, providing immediate relief to the government’s cash position and enabling faster settlement of outstanding invoices.
Secondly, December has proven to be a strong month for tax collection. The Minister noted that government anticipates raising about E500 million in tax revenue during the festive season, traditionally a period of heightened economic activity. These funds are expected to further strengthen the Treasury’s capacity to meet its financial commitments.
The third source of relief will come from receipts from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). Minister Rijkenberg confirmed that part of Eswatini’s SACU revenue is scheduled to be received during the first week of January 2026. These inflows will provide an additional boost to government finances at a critical time.
Finally, Eswatini has also secured a loan from the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) valued at US$50 million, or approximately E842.9 million. The minister said these funds are expected to be disbursed in January, completing a package of financial support that will significantly ease pressure on government cash flow.
“With these combined inflows, we are confident that we will be able to pay our suppliers in full,” Minister Rijkenberg said. “This will not only relieve government’s cash flow, but also ensure that service delivery and economic activity continue without disruption.”
The announcement has been welcomed as positive news for local suppliers, many of whom rely on timely government payments to sustain operations, protect jobs and reinvest in their businesses. Full settlement of outstanding balances is expected to inject liquidity into the economy, supporting growth across sectors such as construction, manufacturing, services and retail.
Beyond immediate payments, the minister emphasised that government remains focused on strengthening fiscal discipline, improving revenue collection and managing public finances responsibly. These efforts, he said, are essential to ensuring long-term economic stability and rebuilding trust with suppliers and development partners.
As Eswatini approaches 2026, the commitment to fully paying suppliers reflects a broader drive to stabilise the economy, support the private sector and create a foundation for sustainable growth. For many businesses, January now represents not just the start of a new year, but renewed confidence in government’s ability to meet its obligations and move the country forward together.
