The silence surrounding personal finance is officially breaking in Eswatini. Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg has officially launched Global Money Week 2026, centering this year’s initiative on the powerful and timely theme: “Smart Money Talks.”
Running from March 16 to 20, the Kingdom joins more than 170 countries in a global effort to ensure children and young people learn financial awareness early.
During the launch held at the Central Bank of Eswatini (CBE) Complex in Ezulwini today, Minister Rijkenberg emphasized that money is an inescapable part of the human experience, yet it remains a subject often concealed in social hesitation.
He noted that while we earn, spend, and borrow daily, the subject is rarely discussed holistically.
“The theme Smart Money Talks reminds us that talking about money, asking questions, learning from mistakes, and sharing knowledge is the first step toward financial confidence,” the Minister stated.
For young professionals and students, this literacy is far more than a basic life skill; it is a foundational pillar of the economy.
The Minister highlighted that the decisions made today regarding budgeting and investing dictate the ceiling of future opportunities.
He indicated that financial literacy is the primary tool to help the youth avoid debt traps, plan for emergencies, and scale entrepreneurial ideas into sustainable businesses.
The government’s stance for 2026 remains firm: access to banking alone is insufficient.
Minister Rijkenberg made it clear that the state is committed to strengthening policies that promote financial education and consumer protection.
“People must also understand how to use those services wisely,” he said, adding that the goal is to ensure “financial products work FOR people, and NOT against them.”
Addressing the youth directly, the Minister urged a culture of relentless curiosity.
He encouraged young people to be proactive in asking questions about interest, digital payments, and insurance, reminding them that “Smart money choices are not about how much you earn, but about how well you manage what you have.”
Global Money Week is designed to be a catalyst for a long-term cultural shift that begins in homes, schools, and communities.
As the Minister officially declared the week open, he called for building a generation that not only participates in the economy but is also truly confident and financially resilient.
For the Central Bank, according to Governor Dr Phil Mnisi, this literacy is far more than a basic life skill; it is a foundational economic pillar.
“Financial literacy is the primary tool to help the youth avoid debt traps, plan for emergencies, and scale-building a generation that not only participates in the economy but is also e entrepreneurial in ideas into sustainable businesses,” he said.
A major highlight of the launch was the announcement of the winners of the national GMW competitions. These contests were designed to turn abstract financial concepts into interactive, creative challenges for students across the Kingdom.
In the High School Competition, teams were tasked with creating five-minute theatre plays that illustrated real-life financial decision-making.
These performances showcased how students identify reliable information, avoid digital scams, and engage in open “money talks” with their peers and families. The top prize of E10,000 was awarded to Somnjalose High School to fund a specific school project, ensuring the victory benefits the entire student body.
The Primary School Competition brought a younger energy to the launch through the Financial Literacy Superheroes Challenge. Students designed original characters with superpowers like budgeting and saving.
Alongside these mascots, schools competed in a Jingle and Song competition, producing catchy 30-second melodies designed to make financial wisdom stick. These winning mascots and songs will now be adopted by the CBE and the Centre for Financial Inclusion (CFI) as national educational tools.
Winners
Primary School: Superheroes Challenge
First Place- Oluhle Bhembe (E10 000)
Second Place- Tsholofelo Kgamedi (E8 000)
Third Place- Hlelo Msibi (E5 000)
Jingle and Song Competition
Overall Winner: Living Waters Primary
High School Theatre
First Place- Somnjalose High School (E10 000)
Second Place- Duze High School (E8 000)
Third place- KaMazombizwe High School (E5 000)
Public Speaking: Debate
First Place- University of Eswatini (UNESWA) (E10 000)
Second Place- Botho University (E8 000)
Third Place- Good Shepard (E5 000)