Eswatini has officially launched its first-ever National FinTech Strategy, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital transformation efforts and signaling a bold step toward creating a modern, inclusive, and competitive financial ecosystem.
The launch, held at the Royal Villas on December 4, 2025, brought together government leaders, regulators, international partners, academics, and private-sector innovators, demonstrating strong national unity behind the digital economy vision.
The development of the Strategy was guided by an inclusive, research-based process that brought together key institutions including the Central Bank of Eswatini, FSRA, CFI, ESCCOM, RSTP, the Eswatini Revenue Service, UNDP, academia, private sector representatives, and international organizations such as the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI).
The Strategy presents a five-year plan to boost financial innovation, strengthen regulation, increase financial inclusion, and position Eswatini as a regional leader in the digital economy. For a country that has already made notable progress, raising financial inclusion from 44.8% in 2010 to 87% in 2025, the Strategy sets the stage for the next phase of digital advancement.
According to Nomcebo Hadebe, Head of the Africa Regional Office at the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), Eswatini’s speed in drafting and validating the strategy is “commendable and more than commendable.”
The Strategy, she added, provides an actionable plan to build on these gains, making sure digital innovation “reaches every community and leaves no one behind,” with special focus on women, youth, MSMEs, and vulnerable groups.
She commended Eswatini for its speed, coordination, and national ownership of the process, stressing that the Strategy reflects “global best practice, adapted to Eswatini’s reality.”
Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg, emphasized that FinTech is no longer an optional sector but a key driver of economic competitiveness, job creation, and sustainable growth. He noted that the strategy fully aligns with the country’s long-term development priorities and His Majesty King Mswati III’s Nkwe call for bold, decisive action across national sectors.
“This Strategy ushers in a new era of financial innovation,” he said. “It sets the tone for how Eswatini will leverage technology to drive economic transformation and create opportunities for all citizens.”
The National FinTech Strategy focuses on several critical areas that together form a strong digital ecosystem:
• Strengthening Digital Payments and Innovation: Enhancing efficiency and accessibility of payment systems, expanding mobile money interoperability, and creating an enabling environment for digital financial products.
• Regulatory Modernization: Updating supervisory tools, expanding regulatory sandboxes, and improving coordination among financial regulators.
• Cybersecurity and Risk Management: Strengthening national cyber resilience and ensuring safe, responsible innovation.
• Financial Inclusion and Consumer Protection: Designing products and policies that benefit women, youth, rural communities, MSMEs, and other underserved groups.
• Ecosystem Development: Supporting entrepreneurship, establishing innovation hubs, and fostering collaboration between government, industry, and academia.
Speaking at the launch, Central Bank Governor Dr. Phil Mnisi underscored the need for responsible innovation that balances progress with financial stability. He emphasised that technology and innovation must be integrated thoughtfully to support growth without compromising consumer protection or systemic resilience.
“This Strategy gives us a clear roadmap,” he said. “But execution will require everyone (regulators, innovators, government agencies, and development partners) to work together with discipline and intention.”
FSRA CEO, Ncamiso Ntshalintshali, highlighted that the Strategy embodies Eswatini’s commitment to agility, resilience, and bold transformation. He noted that FinTech is at the heart of modern financial markets, and this Strategy is “a united national response to the evolving digital landscape.” He further committed to strong regulatory support to ensure innovation thrives safely and sustainably.
Beyond policy, the Strategy directly addresses citizens and businesses who will benefit from better access to credit, digital payments, investment platforms, insurance solutions, and cross-border services. Small businesses, in particular, will gain from improved digital infrastructure and more accessible financing options, allowing them to grow and compete regionally.