Eswatini plans 8.2 billion emalangeni for arrears
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Times of Eswatini
Eswatini’s government plans to raise 8.2 billion emalangeni through budget-support loans and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange to settle arrears owed to domestic suppliers and contractors. The plan is in the 2026-2027 mid-year budget review, according to the Ministry of Finance.
Eswatini’s government plans to raise 8.2 billion emalangeni through budget-support loans and an issuance on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange to settle arrears owed to domestic suppliers and contractors. The financing is included in the 2026/2027 mid-year budget review, the Times of Eswatini reports.
The government believes that settling these payments will improve liquidity in the economy and confidence among businesses working for the state. The budget review classifies the accumulation of domestic arrears among the financial risks requiring continued monitoring, while the Ministry of Finance advocates stricter management of commitments to prevent their further accumulation.
Public debt servicing reached 11.9 billion emalangeni in the first half of the financial year. Domestic debt accounted for 10.8 billion, including 4.1 billion corresponding to repayment of an advance from the Central Bank, while external debt servicing amounted to 1.2 billion emalangeni, according to the Times of Eswatini.
The budget review also reports 590.4 million emalangeni in external debt repayments. The planned use of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, one of Africa’s main financial markets, is part of the government’s effort to diversify its sources of financing beyond existing domestic borrowing.
