On 4 December, Eswatini launched its National Fintech Strategy (2025 -2030), a national blueprint to building a trusted, well-regulated, resilient and competitive digital finance ecosystem while encouraging responsible fintech innovation.

Developed through AFI’s In-Country Implementation (ICI) programme, with funding support from the European Commission, and led through a multi-stakeholder process spearheaded by the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Eswatini, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), the Centre for Financial Inclusion (CFI) and members of the Eswatini FinTech Working Group (EFWG), the Strategy’s pillars span digital infrastructure, human capital, agile regulation, financial safeguards, and regional integration.

Launching the Strategy, Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg said “we want to unlock opportunities for our people and modernise the way we deliver services, making financial inclusion not just a privilege for the few, but a reality for everyone.”

Dr. Phil Mnisi, Governor of the Central Bank of Eswatini, said “whether it is the farmer, the young entrepreneur, or the small trader, the Strategy aims to make financial services more accessible, more affordable, and more relevant to their needs.”

FSRA CEO, Ncamiso T. Ntshalintshali, said “our responsibility as a nation is to embrace innovation while ensuring it is introduced safely, responsibly and in a manner that supports sustainable development.”

AFI’s Head of Africa Regional Office, Nomcebo Sherron Hadebe, said “the launch of the Strategy marks the culmination of months of research and productive collaboration. Since 2022, AFI has worked closely with national stakeholders to assess the fintech landscape, identify gaps and enablers, and uncover opportunities to build a more inclusive and prosperous digital economy for every EmaSwati.”

Dr Andile Metfula, Chair of the Eswatini FinTech Working Group, highlighted the importance of grassroots innovation, including early hackathons and the IndabaX programme, which have nurtured local talent and exposed young innovators to regional and global competition.

Adeyemi Omotoso, AFI Policy Manager, Digital Financial Services at AFI, said the Strategy reveals how evidence, collaboration, and peer learning can translate ambition into actionable policy, highlighting the role of AFI’s Policy Framework on Developing a National FinTech Strategy, knowledge exchanges with the Bank of Ghana and the Central Bank of Egypt, and peer review by AFI’s Digital Financial Services Working Group (DFSWG).  AFI provided technical leadership and guidance for the Strategy, with Olayinka David-West Consulting supporting research, drafting and validation.

Thanks to strong national leadership, committed institutions, and partners aligned around delivery, Eswatini’s National FinTech Strategy will position the Kingdom to advance responsible innovation, deepen inclusion, and compete confidently in the regional digital economy.