BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE – The Coordinating Assembly of Non‑Governmental Organisations (CANGO) has reinforced the role of civil society in shaping national economic policy by participating in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Macroeconomic Convergence Peer Review Mission hosted by the Ministry of Finance on March 6, 2026 in Mbabane.
The engagement brought together financial institutions, development stakeholders and representatives from the Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organisations (CANGO), ensuring that civil society voices were included in discussions shaping national economic governance, transparency and sustainable development.
Stakeholders engaged with a peer review delegation from the United Republic of Tanzania, which is leading the assessment mission under the SADC Finance and Investment Protocol, reviewing key areas such as macroeconomic stability, fiscal governance, public finance accountability and inclusive economic participation.
The mission provided a platform for dialogue between government institutions, regional experts and civil society organisations on the progress the Kingdom has made toward achieving macroeconomic convergence targets set by SADC.
Participants reflected on strategies to strengthen fiscal discipline, improve transparency in public finance management and promote broader economic participation to ensure that national growth benefits all emaSwati.
Regional cooperation was also highlighted as a critical pillar in advancing sustainable development and strengthening economic resilience among countries within the SADC region.
CANGO emphasised that the involvement of civil society in such policy platforms is vital in promoting participatory governance and ensuring that economic policies remain responsive to the needs and realities of communities.
As the national umbrella body representing civil society organisations in Eswatini, CANGO continues to advocate for evidence-based policy engagement and inclusive decision-making processes that place citizens at the centre of development.
The SADC Macroeconomic Convergence Peer Review Mission forms part of a regional framework established by SADC to help member states align their economic policies and monitor progress toward macroeconomic stability.
Through the peer review mechanism, member countries evaluate each other’s performance on key economic indicators such as inflation, fiscal balance, public debt levels and economic growth, with the aim of strengthening economic management and regional integration.
Similar high-level engagements are conducted across the region on a rotational basis, with previous review discussions held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe in 2025, where finance ministers and economic experts assessed progress toward regional economic convergence targets.
By participating in the Mbabane review process, civil society organisations are helping to ensure that economic planning and governance remain transparent, inclusive and focused on improving livelihoods fo
