Africa-Press – Eswatini. A constructive yet firm debate is unfolding between the Ministry of Finance and the business community as Business Eswatini (BE) CEO, E Nathi Dlamini, has called on government ministries to urgently submit all outstanding supplier invoices to the Treasury.
This follows a recent statement by Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg confirming that all verified invoices, submitted to the Treasury by 2nd July 2025, have been settled using the US$100 million World Bank budget support facility.
In a “financial insight” briefing, Rijkenberg reassured the nation that government had prioritized supplier payments to ease liquidity challenges faced by businesses. “We used the World Bank funds specifically to pay suppliers whose invoices had been verified and submitted to the Treasury by July 2nd. Our commitment to clearing the backlog remains unwavering,” he stated.
However, Business Eswatini, after verifying the minister’s claims with the Treasury Department, confirmed that indeed those invoices received by the stated date were paid. Yet, a different picture emerges from many suppliers who continue to report that they remain unpaid. According to BE, this discrepancy points not to a failure by the Treasury, but to inefficiencies within line ministries.
“We believe some ministries are withholding invoices in their drawers for reasons only known to them,” Dlamini said. “This is not just a matter of administrative delay, it is destroying businesses. Some suppliers are on the brink of collapse, and our tolerance is wearing thin.”
Dlamini emphasized that while BE appreciates the Finance Ministry’s effort and transparency, it is calling for more decisive coordination across government departments. “The system only works if all parts play their role. Ministries must urgently submit these invoices so that the Treasury can process them. Time is of the essence.”
The appeal by BE comes amid mounting pressure from the private sector, which has praised government’s engagement with development partners but now demands the same level of accountability at the operational level.
As a way forward, BE has proposed closer monitoring of invoice submissions, including periodic reporting and direct supplier verification mechanisms. “We have an opportunity to restore confidence and prove that this administration is serious about creating a business-friendly environment,” Dlamini concluded.
This dialogue between government and business signals a maturing public-private partnership, where collaboration and accountability can deliver real economic recovery. The ball, however, now lies squarely in the court of individual ministries.
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