Africa-Press – Eswatini. Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg has praised Eswatini’s growing culture of tax compliance, linking it directly to the country’s record-breaking revenue performance and long-term economic sustainability.
Delivering the keynote address at the 3rd Annual ERS Client Appreciation Day on Friday evening at Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini, Rijkenberg declared, “When a modern revenue administration meets willing, well-informed taxpayers, the outcome is sustainable prosperity.”
The Minister confirmed that revenue collections for the financial year ending March 2025 soared to E14.61 billion, reflecting a 12.2% increase from the previous year.
He further noted an improvement in the tax-to-GDP ratio, which rose from 15.9% to 16.7%, signalling stronger fiscal health and more resilient domestic resource mobilisation.
“Tonight, we celebrate not just collections, but collaboration,” he said.
Rijkenberg commended the ERS for introducing digital tools such as the TaxPal app and the Presumptive Tax regime, which he said were making compliance more accessible, especially for micro and small enterprises.
He also underscored the importance of taxpayer education, pointing to the success of the Bafundzise Programme, which is being rolled out across the country to help business owners better understand their tax responsibilities.
“Compliance flourishes where understanding is high,” he said.
To support honest taxpayers further, the Minister encouraged the use of the Voluntary Disclosure Programme, a tool designed to help individuals and businesses correct past mistakes in a safe and supportive environment.
“The ERS is opening this door in the spirit of partnership,” he noted.
One of the night’s most applauded moments came when Ubombo Sugar Limited was announced as the country’s top tax contributor for 2025, maintaining its lead from last year. Accepting the award on behalf of the company, Finance Manager Philile Nxumalo reaffirmed their commitment to full compliance and partnership with the ERS.
Adding regional context, African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) Executive Secretary Mary Baine applauded Eswatini for raising its voluntary compliance rate from 61% to 66.6%. “Voluntary compliance is the heartbeat of a functional state. Every Emalangeni collected voluntarily is revenue earned with trust,” she said.
The ERS also recognised outstanding tax-compliant companies in the construction sector, including Inyatsi Construction, Mormond Electrical Contractors, Toepfer & Sons Construction, and Mgcabho Construction.
In his closing remarks, ERS Commissioner General Brightwell Nkambule thanked the Ministry of Finance for its continued policy support and praised all recipients for setting the bar in ethical tax behaviour.
“Together, we are building a culture where compliance is not feared, it’s respected and rewarded,” he said.
As the evening drew to a close, the message was clear, in Eswatini, tax compliance is not just a duty, but a driver of inclusive economic growth built on trust, innovation, and accountability.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
