Eswatini has set an ambitious target to establish a national mobile payment gateway by 2028 as part of a broader digital transformation agenda aimed at strengthening governance, improving service delivery and accelerating national development.
The resolution was adopted by cabinet following a week long retreat held in northwestern Ezulwini, where leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing national transformation under the theme “Transforming Eswatini Through Effective Execution.” The retreat concluded with a pledge to leverage technology as a central pillar of public sector reform.
At the core of the digital agenda is the creation of a secure mobile payment gateway that will enable seamless processing of credit card, debit card and digital wallet transactions across mobile applications, websites and point of sale platforms. Once operational, the gateway is expected to streamline financial transactions for government services, reduce inefficiencies and enhance transparency in revenue collection.
Cabinet positioned the mobile payment gateway as a strategic priority alongside achieving energy security by 2030, underscoring the government’s dual focus on digital and infrastructure resilience. Officials indicated that both initiatives are essential to building a modern, responsive state capable of meeting the needs of citizens and businesses.
To ensure effective execution, cabinet resolved to establish or reactivate dedicated task teams that will oversee implementation. These subject areas will remain standing agenda items during cabinet meetings until measurable progress is achieved. The approach reflects an effort to shift from policy formulation to disciplined follow through.
In addition to the payment gateway, the government plans to institutionalise digital dashboards and performance scorecards for real time monitoring and evaluation of service delivery. A cabinet level performance dashboard will be developed to track progress across ministries, identify bottlenecks, accelerate delivery and enforce accountability through structured follow up actions.
Performance agreements across ministries and agencies are also set to be tied to clearly defined, measurable outcomes. Indicators and targets will be embedded into these agreements to ensure that digital transformation efforts translate into tangible improvements rather than remaining abstract policy goals.
Russell Dlamini, Prime Minister of Eswatini, presided over the retreat and emphasized the need for agility and innovation in navigating changing socio economic conditions. He stated that cabinet was committed to championing innovation, fostering creative thinking and raising standards in pursuit of superior outcomes for citizens.
The emphasis on digital systems reflects growing recognition across Africa that technology driven governance can improve efficiency, reduce corruption risks and expand access to public services. For a country of approximately 1.27 million people, digital integration offers an opportunity to modernise service delivery without the scale challenges faced by larger economies.
Mobile payment infrastructure in particular has proven transformative in several African markets, enabling financial inclusion and facilitating transactions in both urban and rural areas. By building a national gateway, Eswatini aims to centralise and standardise digital payments for government services, potentially increasing revenue transparency and reducing manual processes that slow administrative workflows.
Energy security remains a parallel strategic focus. Achieving stable and sufficient power supply by 2030 is viewed as foundational to sustaining digital infrastructure, supporting businesses and enabling technology adoption across sectors. Reliable energy and digital payments together form the backbone of a modern economic ecosystem.
Eswatini, Africa’s last absolute monarchy, continues to pursue governance reforms within its unique political framework. The digital transformation blueprint signals a pragmatic shift toward measurable execution and performance management within public administration.
Analysts note that success will depend on sustained political will, investment in technical capacity and collaboration with private sector technology partners. Establishing secure digital systems requires cybersecurity safeguards, regulatory alignment and public trust in electronic platforms.
If implemented effectively, the 2028 mobile payment gateway target could mark a significant milestone in Eswatini’s modernization journey, reinforcing accountability while simplifying citizen interactions with the state. As cabinet moves from strategy to execution, the coming years will test the country’s ability to translate digital ambition into operational impact.
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