The Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) has launched Phase II of the Revenue Takeover Project, which centralizes the collection of non-tax revenue under the ERS.
The announcement was made at an official launch event of the project held at the ERS headquarters in Ezulwini on Friday morning. The event celebrated the full implementation of the First and Second Schedules of the Revenue Act of 2008, an important step in strengthening revenue collection and service delivery for the nation.
Phase II transfers responsibility for more than 150 revenue fees from the Treasury Department in the Ministry of Finance to ERS. This means that in addition to core taxes such as VAT, income tax, and excise duties, ERS will now also oversee collections ranging from licence fees to other non-tax government revenues.
“This milestone brings us closer to the vision set out in the Revenue Act of 2008, which established ERS as the central authority mandated to collect revenue on behalf of the government,” ERS Commissioner General Brightwell Nkambule noted.
This phase is also about strengthening the Government’s ability to collect the revenue it needs to deliver services and invest in the development of our nation.
“The Second Schedule covers revenue laws where ERS is responsible ONLY for collections, while line ministries retain administrative functions,” Nkambule said.
Speaking at the event, Acting Minister of Finance Apollo Maphalala described the project as a bold step towards trust and reliability.
“This is more than an administrative shift,” Minister Maphalala said. “It is about building a system that citizens can rely on, a system that is transparent, convenient, and fair. We are aligning with the law and best practices by consolidating all government revenue under ERS.”
The project began in April 2024, when ERS took over the collection of company registration fees and trading licence renewals from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Trade. At the time, the move was considered a modest but important first step.
This expansion covers more than 150 revenue fees, making it easier for citizens and businesses alike to pay for the services they need through a single, efficient platform.