MBABANE – Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg has tabled a national budget of E36.92 billion for the 2026 27 financial year, setting out Government’s spending priorities across education, health, infrastructure and rural development.
Presenting the estimates of revenue and expenditure in Mbabane this week, Rijkenberg said the new fiscal plan signals a shift in direction after years of consolidation.
“Over the past several years, we prioritised stabilisation, strengthening reserves, improving debt management, upgrading our credit rating, firming up tax administration, and restoring investor confidence. This Budget marks a transition from stability to acceleration. It is a pro growth, pro discipline, pro investment Budget,” he said.
Education has received the largest share of the allocation at E6.4 billion, accounting for about 16 percent of the total budget. Of this amount, E5.06 billion falls under the recurrent budget while E408.7 million is directed to capital projects. A further E194.5 million has been set aside for the OVC fund and E702.3 million for scholarships.
“This total of E6.4 billion, representing 16% of the total budget, is spent on educating emaSwati. This is by far the highest budget allocation, reflecting Government’s intentionality in investing in our youth for future productivity in the economy,” Rijkenberg said.
The Ministry of Health has been allocated E3.24 billion. The funding covers, among other areas, the transformation of the Central Medical Stores and broader health system reforms.
“For the 2026 27 financial year, the Ministry of Health has been allocated E3.24 billion. This is our commitment to a health system that prevents, heals and loves its people back to wholeness,” he said.
Government has channelled E1.2 billion to the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office to continue social protection programmes. Plans include building houses for 60 additional vulnerable households and providing livelihood support to 200 families through vocational and agricultural training.
Agriculture and water infrastructure also feature prominently. The Mpakeni Dam, part of the Mkhondvo Ngwavuma Project, has now surpassed 44 percent completion. An amount of E1.6 billion has been earmarked for the dam’s construction in the coming year, while the Ministry of Agriculture will receive E2.2 billion.
“The Mpakeni has now surpassed the 44 percent completion mark. This is the largest single investment Government has made in a multi stage agricultural project, and this year, we have allocated E1.6 billion in the budget towards the Mpakeni Dam construction, which is an integral part of the Mkhondvo Ngwavuma Project. Government has allocated E2.2 billion to the Ministry of Agriculture,” he said.
On natural resources, Government has allocated E1.73 billion to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining. An additional E6.13 million will fund follow up surveys by the Geological Survey Department after recent mineral exploration work.
Tourism is expected to receive a boost with the planned opening of the International Conference Centre in April 2026. Government has set aside E100 million to support the operationalisation of the facility, while the Ministry of Tourism has been allocated E194.4 million.
“The much anticipated opening and operationalization of the International Conference Centre, in April 2026, is set to be transformational for the tourism industry in Eswatini. An additional E100 million has been set aside in this budget, specifically to ensure that all provisions are made available to enable the ICC to deliver professional services to local and international visitors wishing to use this world class facility. The Ministry of Tourism has been allocated E194.4 million in the 2026 27 financial year,” he said.
In the ICT sector, E35 million will be used to upgrade the mainframe computer system to address frequent downtimes, while E413.9 million has been allocated to the Ministry of ICT for targeted programmes.
Preparations are also under way for the 2027 national census. The Central Statistical Office has started mapping and listing households across the country. An allocation of E130.5 million has been provided for this phase.
Road infrastructure has been allocated close to E2 billion in total. Government will spend E164 million on rehabilitation and maintenance of feeder roads and E70 million on maintenance and upgrades of roads, crossings and bridges. Another E364 million will go towards constructing main and district double sealed tarred roads.
“At the end of the year, E450 million will be available in the Roads Authority Fund for the maintenance and upgrades of roads throughout the country. This is in addition to a budget of E880 million for the Siphofaneni Nsoko MR14 MR21 roads. This brings the total amount available to road infrastructure in the 2026 27 financial year to nearly E2 billion,” Rijkenberg said.
Rural development initiatives continue through the Rural Development Fund, which will receive E177 million, with E30 million allocated to clear outstanding requests from constituencies. The Community Development Fund allocation has been increased from E188 million in the previous financial year to E300 million. The Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development will receive E547.8 million to advance decentralisation and service delivery.
On veterinary services, E15 million has been set aside for rehabilitation of cordon fences. Through reallocations and supplementary funding, E57 million has been provided for vaccines to support a national vaccination rollout.
The public service wage bill is projected to rise to E12.44 billion, up from E10.48 billion in the 2025 26 financial year. Government has allocated E635.35 million for the 85 percent backpay and E535.28 million for allowances to complete implementation of the 2025 26 salary review.
“Public servant’s wage bill is budgeted to reach E12.44 billion, compared to E10.48 billion in the 2025 26 financial year. In this budget, E635.35 million has been set aside for the 85 percent backpay and E535.28 million for allowances to complete the 2025 26 salary review implementation,” Rijkenberg said.
