BY PHESHEYA IAN KUNENE
MBABANE – Eswatini’s trailblazing approach to financial inclusion has caught the attention of Tanzanian experts, who recently completed a peer-learning visit to the kingdom.
The Eswatini Economic Policy Analysis and Research Centre (ESEPARC) played host to a high-level delegation from Tanzania on April 16 and 17, in a knowledge-sharing initiative aimed at boosting regional cooperation in financial inclusion. The exchange was supported by the Centre for Financial Inclusion (CFI), FinMark Trust (FMT), and the Central Statistical Office (CSO).
ESEPARC’s Acting Executive Director Qiniso Mthethwa, standing in for Dr Thabo Sacolo, is said to have welcomed the visitors and stressed the importance of such collaborations in shaping inclusive financial systems in Africa. Mthethwa reportedly said sharing insights from Eswatini’s successful 2023 Blended FinScope Survey could help shape policy interventions across the region.
The two-day programme was packed with technical presentations from leading institutions. CFI reportedly outlined its strategic direction, highlighting approaches in stakeholder engagement and fundraising for the FinScope MSME surveys. Meanwhile, FSD Tanzania shared its own experiences in managing surveys and mobilising funds.
The CSO is understood to have detailed its role in data quality and oversight, touching on GIS modelling and control measures for Enumeration Areas. ESEPARC is said to have gone deep into the technical side, covering topics such as survey design, data handling, and quality assurance.
Delegates from Tanzania’s National Bureau of Statistics and the Office of the Chief Government Statistician also joined the discussion, reflecting on lessons that could be adapted back home. FinMark Trust and CFI are reported to have closed off the session by reaffirming their commitment to strengthening peer-learning efforts in the region.
On the second day, the group headed to Sidvwashini for a field visit led by ESEPARC and the CSO. The visit offered a hands-on look at Eswatini’s enumeration techniques and data collection protocols. According to organisers, the practical exercise gave delegates valuable insights into how survey methodology is implemented on the ground.
Mthethwa is said to have expressed hope that the partnership would unlock innovative solutions and help fast-track financial inclusion efforts across the continent.
ESEPARC has committed to keeping stakeholders updated on ongoing initiatives linked to the survey’s findings and their application both locally and beyond.
