Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Kingdom of Eswatini has taken a decisive step towards becoming a digitally empowered and financially inclusive nation with the official launch of its National FinTech Strategy on 4 December 2025 at the Royal Villas.
The landmark event brought together key players from the country’s financial ecosystem, including the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Eswatini, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), the University of Eswatini (UNESWA), the Eswatini Bankers Association and a range of private-sector stakeholders.
This collective commitment signals a united national effort to ensure that, by 2030, financial technology will be accessible to every Liswati – not as a privilege for the few, but as a fundamental right for all.
Minister Rijkenberg Champions Inclusive Digital Transformation
Guest speaker Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg delivered a powerful address emphasising the transformative potential of financial technology in unlocking economic participation, improving livelihoods and modernising public and private service delivery.
“FinTech is no longer a luxury; it is an essential tool for expanding access to financial services,” he said. The Minister stressed that accessible digital finance was central to government’s long-term developmental goals, including improving public-sector efficiency and enabling businesses – especially small and medium enterprises – to operate more competitively.
He applauded the collaborative spirit demonstrated by regulators, academia and industry players, noting that innovation thrives in environments where institutions work together rather than in isolation. According to Rijkenberg, the launch of the strategy marked the beginning of a new chapter in Eswatini’s economic transformation, one where digital solutions will help reduce inequality, stimulate investment and support a growing knowledge-based economy.
Regulators Unite Behind a Shared Vision
The Central Bank of Eswatini and FSRA both reiterated their commitment to enabling a safe, innovative and forward-looking FinTech environment. Representatives highlighted that while regulatory oversight remains essential for safeguarding consumers and maintaining financial stability, regulation should not stifle innovation. Instead, it must evolve to allow new technologies to flourish responsibly.
Both institutions assured attendees that they were ready to strengthen regulatory sandboxes, support pilot programmes and modernise existing frameworks to encourage innovation without compromising trust. This balanced approach is expected to catalyse the growth of mobile payments, digital lending, open banking, cybersecurity solutions and other emerging financial technologies.
The Eswatini Bankers Association echoed these sentiments, pledging strong collaboration with the broader industry. Commercial banks expressed readiness to embrace change, invest in digital infrastructure and partner with start-ups to deliver customer-centred products that meet modern financial needs.
Academia Signals a New Era for African Innovation
One of the most compelling messages came from UNESWA’s Dr Andile Methula, who also chairs the Eswatini FinTech Working Group. He emphasised the importance of Africans taking a leading role in shaping the continent’s FinTech landscape rather than simply adopting external innovations.
“The time has come for Africans – and particularly Emaswati – to take centre stage in driving the development of the FinTech industry,” he said. “For too long, we have watched others make strides in this space. Now, we must take ownership and lead from the front.”
Dr Methula highlighted that Eswatini possesses the intellectual capacity, youth talent and institutional support needed to build home-grown FinTech solutions. He stated that the National FinTech Strategy provides the framework to nurture this potential by promoting research, encouraging innovation hubs and strengthening partnerships between universities and industry.
A Strategy Built on Access, Innovation and Partnership
Throughout the event, speakers reaffirmed that the strategy’s core purpose is expanding financial inclusion. While Eswatini has made significant progress in mobile money adoption and digital payments, a large portion of the population still lacks access to formal financial services.
The FinTech Strategy aims to address this through:
• Enhancing digital infrastructure, including broader fibre-optic coverage and improved connectivity.
• Supporting start-ups by creating innovation-friendly policies and funding opportunities.
• Strengthening cybersecurity and data protection, ensuring safe and trusted digital transactions.
• Promoting digital literacy, enabling citizens to confidently adopt new technologies.
• Integrating FinTech into public services, such as social grants and revenue collection.
Stakeholders unanimously agreed that these pillars will position Eswatini as a regional leader in agile, inclusive and technology-driven financial solutions.
FinTech Access as a National Right
A strong recurring sentiment throughout the launch was that FinTech access should not be limited to urban areas, the technologically adept or those with higher incomes. Instead, every Liswati – from rural farmers to young entrepreneurs – should have the opportunity to participate in the digital financial economy.
This belief formed the basis of the collective pledge made by all institutions present: that by 2030, Eswatini will strive to ensure that most, if not all, citizens have access to digital financial services.
Speakers reinforced that such access empowers communities, supports SMEs, improves government service delivery and ultimately strengthens the national economy.
A Collective Commitment to the Future
The launch of the National FinTech Strategy was a celebration not only of a policy milestone but of national unity and forward-thinking ambition. Institutions across the financial, regulatory and academic sectors expressed enthusiasm for a future where innovation becomes central to Eswatini’s economic identity.
The event concluded with a shared sentiment: Eswatini stands ready to shape its own digital destiny. Through coordinated effort, inclusive policies and home-grown innovation, the nation is poised to unlock new opportunities for all citizens and secure a thriving, technology-driven future.
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