MBABANE – Government has set strict budget ceilings for all ministries and departments in the upcoming 2026/27 national budget.
This signals a year of controlled expenditure as the country seeks to balance service delivery with fiscal discipline. The ceilings, issued through the latest Budget Call Circular, outline how much each ministry is allowed to allocate across wage, non-wage and transfer lines and the figures show both continuity and tightened prioritisation across sectors.
The Budget Call Circular is traditionally the official instruction manual for ministries as they begin drafting budget proposals. It spells out ceilings, policy priorities and reminders on compliance with procurement and reporting standards. According to the circular, this year it continues to emphasise fiscal prudence, with ministries encouraged to ‘focus on core mandates’ and avoid unnecessary spending. Meanwhile, as has become the norm in recent years, the Ministry of Education and Training is expected to receive the largest share of funding, with a ceiling of E4.39 billion.
The bulk of this over E3.4 billion, is allocated to wages, mainly for teachers and support staff, while transfers amount to E860.6 million.
However, education officials are expected to maintain strict financial management, particularly in non-wage areas, which remain considerably lower than wage costs. Ministries have been instructed to ensure that spending plans account for operational realities without creating new financial obligations. Furthermore, the Ministry of Health is the second-highest as service pressures rise. With a ceiling of E2.98 billion, the circular reveals that E1.14 billion has been allocated for wages, while a substantial E1.41 billion is earmarked for non-wage expenditure, reflecting the ministry’s heavy reliance on supplies, pharmaceutical needs and operational costs. The health sector also receives E417.4 million in transfers. This allocation comes at a time when health facilities continue to face pressure from high demand, supply shortages and ongoing reform needs.
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