BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Government has promised that it will implement adequate consultations before enforcing television licence payments at Eswatini’s border posts as part of efforts to strengthen compliance and improve funding for the country’s broadcasting sector.
Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg said authorities would continue engaging the public ahead of the rollout to ensure consumers and retailers understand the new requirements.
Rijkenberg made the announcement on Thursday, May 21, 2026 during Thursday’s #FinanceInFocus bulletin, saying the initiative forms part of a partnership between the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) and the Eswatini Communications Commission.
Under the new arrangement, television importers will be required to pay TV licence fees when bringing television sets into the country.
Rijkenberg said the system would apply particularly to commercial importers and retailers bringing in televisions for resale.
“From that certain date that was announced, at the border gates, if people are importing TVs, TV licences are to be paid,” he said.
The minister explained that retailers would then recover the licence costs from customers when televisions are sold locally.
He appealed to emaSwati to understand the reasoning behind the move, noting that television licence compliance in the country remained extremely low.
“At the moment, unfortunately, TV licence fees are really not being paid properly,” he said.
According to Rijkenberg, poor compliance has placed significant strain on the local broadcasting industry and limited its ability to improve services and infrastructure.
He added that payment of TV licences remains mandatory regardless of whether viewers regularly watch local television channels.
“Even if one does not watch local TV channels, in any country one pays a TV licence,” he said.
Government believes stronger enforcement will help improve the sustainability of Eswatini’s broadcasting sector and enhance the quality of local television services.
