BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MBABANE – Eswatini has reached another significant international milestone after securing membership in one of the world’s most respected financial intelligence networks, a development expected to strengthen the country’s fight against financial crime, boost investor confidence and reinforce its standing in the global financial system.
The Kingdom was officially admitted into the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) on July 8, 2026, becoming part of an exclusive network of 180 Financial Intelligence Units that collaborate to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and other illicit financial activities across the world.
Speaking on Eswatini TV’s Kusile Breakfast Show on Monday, July 13, 2026, Eswatini Financial Intelligence Centre (EFIC) Director of Finance and Administration Bongani Ephraim Ntshalintshali described the achievement as a landmark moment for the country’s financial sector and national security.
He said joining the Egmont Group was far more than international recognition—it was a testament to Eswatini’s growing commitment to transparency, accountability and financial integrity.
“This is a historic achievement for Eswatini. Admission into the Egmont Group is not automatic. Every country must undergo a rigorous assessment process to demonstrate that its financial intelligence systems meet internationally accepted standards,” Ntshalintshali said.
He acknowledged the important role played by neighbouring South Africa and Malawi, which sponsored Eswatini’s application after recognising the country’s commitment to strengthening its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework.
Ntshalintshali explained that the Eswatini Financial Intelligence Centre, established under the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011, serves as the country’s central authority responsible for protecting the financial system from criminal abuse.
The Centre receives Suspicious Transaction Reports from banks, insurance companies, legal practitioners, accountants and other reporting institutions. It analyses the information, converts it into actionable financial intelligence and shares it with agencies such as the Royal Eswatini Police Service, the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Eswatini Revenue Service to support investigations and prosecutions.
He said membership of the Egmont Group closes a critical gap that had previously been identified during Eswatini’s 2022 mutual evaluation.
“In 2022, the mutual evaluation highlighted our absence from the Egmont Group as a strategic deficiency. By becoming a member, we have addressed that gap and demonstrated that Eswatini’s financial intelligence framework now aligns with internationally recognised standards,” he said.
Ntshalintshali said the achievement also strengthens Eswatini’s efforts to safeguard its economy against the risks associated with grey-listing, which has negatively affected several developing economies.
He explained that countries placed on the grey list often experience declining investor confidence, higher borrowing costs and greater challenges for businesses seeking to participate in international trade.
“Grey-listing affects everyone. It makes borrowing more expensive for governments, businesses and ordinary citizens, while discouraging foreign investment and creating obstacles for local enterprises looking to access global markets. This milestone helps protect Eswatini’s reputation as a credible and trusted investment destination,” he said.
With financial crime increasingly operating across international borders, Ntshalintshali said the new membership provides Eswatini with access to the Egmont Group’s secure global information-sharing platform, allowing authorities to exchange intelligence quickly and securely with counterparts in 179 other countries.
“This significantly strengthens our ability to detect, trace and disrupt illicit financial flows wherever they occur because financial crime does not respect national borders,” he said.
Beyond intelligence sharing, Ntshalintshali said the membership will also build local capacity by giving EFIC analysts access to the Egmont Centre of FIU Excellence and Leadership (ECOFEL), a world-class training platform that equips financial intelligence professionals with advanced investigative and analytical skills.
He said the opportunity would enable Eswatini’s experts to collaborate with leading practitioners from around the world while enhancing the country’s ability to participate in complex cross-border investigations.
Ntshalintshali said the milestone sends a strong message to the international community that Eswatini is committed to maintaining a transparent, resilient and internationally compliant financial system.
“Our systems are becoming stronger, our institutions are continuing to mature and our commitment to protecting the integrity of Eswatini’s financial sector remains unwavering. This membership positions the Kingdom as a credible partner in the global fight against financial crime,” he said.
As Eswatini continues to strengthen its governance institutions and modernise its financial architecture, admission into the Egmont Group represents another important step towards building a safer, more transparent and internationally competitive economy—one that inspires confidence among investors, development partners and citizens alike.
(Courtesy Pic)
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