Eswatini Revenue Service: Pioneering revenue management and compliance in Eswatini

Eswatini Revenue Service: Pioneering revenue management and compliance in Eswatini is profiled by BTW Media because public-source evidence links it to internet infrastructure, governance, operational dependencies, or market visibility.

• ERS blends corporate efficiency with government policy to streamline revenue collection and improve fiscal governance in Eswatini.
• The agency is led by Commissioner General Brightwell Nkambule and maintains strong links with international tax bodies.
• The “Revenue Takeover” initiative is a project to centralize non-tax revenue collections, making national revenue services more efficient.

The Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) is a semi-autonomous agency in charge of collecting revenue in Eswatini. ERS runs on a mix of corporate efficiency and government oversight to make sure taxes are collected effectively and people stick to the rules. Since 2022, Commissioner General Brightwell Nkambule has been in charge, and ERS is now working on things like “The Revenue Takeover” to bring all the money from things other than taxes together in one place. This is a smart move that will make things more efficient and help us to keep up with the best practices in revenue administration around the world.

Institutional framework

The Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) operates as a semi-autonomous agency responsible for the assessment and collection of revenue on behalf of the Government of Eswatini. Established by the Revenue Authority Act of 2008 and subsequent amendments, the ERS operates outside the traditional civil service structure but remains within the broad framework of government policy. The agency is designed as a corporate entity, with an emphasis on operational excellence and efficiency in its mandate.

Leadership and management

ERS is headed by the Commissioner General, Mr. Brightwell Nkambule, who has led the agency since 2022. The organization benefits from the oversight of a Board of Directors, appointed by the Honourable Minister of Finance, which ensures adherence to governance standards and strategic direction.

The ERS is deeply integrated into the international tax administration community and holds memberships in several prestigious organizations such as the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), the World Customs Organization (WCO), and the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA). These affiliations help the Service to align with global best practices and leverage international expertise to enhance its operational capabilities.

The revenue takeover initiative

A major project called “The Revenue Takeover” was launched by the Acting Minister of Finance, Honourable Mabulala Maseko, at the ERS Head Office in Ezulwini. This initiative is designed to centralize the collection of non-tax revenues previously managed by the National Treasury under the ERS, thereby facilitating more streamlined revenue management processes.

As part of this project, payments for services such as business registration and license fees under the Department of Trade and Industry have already been processed through ERS service centers nationwide since May 2024.

About Eswatini Revenue Service

The mission and vision of the ERS reflect its commitment to fostering a culture of compliance and transparency. The agency strives for 100% voluntary compliance, promotes the fair and equitable application of tax laws, improves taxpayer services, and ensures that all revenues collected benefit the Kingdom of Eswatini. This proactive approach is designed to discourage tax fraud and evasion, further strengthening the financial foundation of the nation.