Africa-Press – Eswatini. Government spending on wages and salaries reached E4.6 billion during the first half of the 2025/26 fiscal year, representing 52 percent of the total annual personnel budget, according to the Ministry of Finance’s latest budget management report.
The Ministry attributed the high expenditure to the government’s ongoing efforts to fill critical vacant positions across ministries and departments. Officials explained that the recruitment drive aims to strengthen service delivery, improve efficiency in the public sector, and address gaps in essential areas such as education, health, law enforcement, and public administration.
“The increase in payroll obligations is a necessary step to ensure that government services are delivered effectively to the people of Eswatini,” the report stated.
Beyond salaries, internal transfers, subsidies, grants, and social benefits totaled E3.6 billion, which is 42 percent of the annual allocation for these categories. Spending on goods and services amounted to E2.2 billion, or 47 percent of the allocated budget, a figure closely aligned with expected mid-year expenditure.
Overall, the total budget released during the reporting period reached E11.1 billion, representing 50 percent of the national annual budget. The ministries receiving the highest proportions of their released funds included:
• Ministry of Home Affairs – 90%
• Ministry of Economic Planning and Development – 80%
• Ministry of Public Works and Transport – 71%
Other key ministries receiving substantial releases were Health (61%), Foreign Affairs (67%), and Judiciary (69%).
Analysts note that the mid-year budget release and spending patterns demonstrate a balanced fiscal approach, where government continues to prioritize essential service delivery while maintaining fiscal discipline.
The Ministry of Finance emphasized that careful expenditure monitoring remains a priority to ensure macroeconomic stability and sustainable public finances. It highlighted that while wages represent a significant portion of the budget, investments in personnel are crucial for enhancing public service delivery and ensuring smooth government operations.
Experts further noted that the wage bill reflects a strategic investment in human capital, necessary to meet the needs of a growing population and the evolving demands of public service. The government is expected to maintain this balance in the second half of the fiscal year while ensuring that developmental priorities, including infrastructure and social programmes, are well funded.
The Ministry concluded that the release and use of funds will continue to be guided by efficiency, accountability, and alignment with national development goals, reaffirming the government’s commitment to serving the people of Eswatini effectively and responsibly.
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