MBABANE – Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg says government is entering 2026 with growing confidence as preparations for the national budget advance, under a fully digital financial management system.
Speaking during a Ministry of Finance year-end team-building exercise at Malkerns Club, Rijkenberg said the upcoming budget will be the first to be prepared entirely through the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), marking a major shift in how public finances are planned, managed and controlled.
He described IFMIS as a transformative reform for government, noting that the system replaces paper-based processes with a fully digital platform across all ministries.
According to the minister, the change is aimed at improving efficiency, accountability and real-time oversight of public spending.
“This next budget is being done in IFMIS,” Rijkenberg said, explaining that the system ensures all financial processes are handled electronically, reducing delays and strengthening expenditure control.
The minister acknowledged that the transition has placed demands on public finance officials, particularly as the rollout of IFMIS coincides with the annual budget cycle. He said finance teams worked through the Christmas and New Year period to ensure the 2026 budget will be delivered on time in February.
Rijkenberg praised officials at the Ministry of Finance for their role in safeguarding the country’s finances, saying their work is central to ensuring payments are made on time and fiscal resources are managed responsibly.
From a broader economic perspective, the minister said government’s focus in 2026 will remain on strengthening public financial management as a foundation for economic growth, job creation and improved service delivery.
He also used the opportunity to urge emaSwati to adopt prudent financial behaviour during the festive season, encouraging households to spend wisely, prioritise obligations such as school fees and consider ways to build additional income streams.
Rijkenberg said strategic use of bonuses or year-end payments, including small-scale investments, can help households build financial resilience over time, even under constrained economic conditions.
Looking ahead, the minister expressed optimism about 2026, saying government remains committed to improving economic performance, expanding employment opportunities and reducing poverty through disciplined fiscal management.
He concluded by thanking public servants for their contribution during a demanding year and wished emaSwati a peaceful festive season, reiterating the importance of responsible financial decision-making at both national and household levels.
The move to finalise Budget 2026 under IFMIS follows a year of intensified fiscal reforms at the Ministry of Finance, as government sought to strengthen public financial management amid tight fiscal space and rising demands on public resources.
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