Futhi Tembe, Chief Executive Officer of the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF), has presented Eswatini’s social security reform journey at the 6th Annual Africa Pension Funds and Retirement Summit held in Casablanca, Morocco, from May 13 to 16, 2025.
The summit brought together leaders in the pensions sector, including fund managers, regulators, and chief executives from across the continent. Tembe was among the invited speakers, offering insights on how Eswatini plans to extend retirement coverage to informal sector workers, who make up nearly 59% of the country’s labour force.
During a panel discussion on May 15, Tembe told delegates that the Government of Eswatini has given the green light, in principle, for the conversion of the national provident fund into a pension fund. This shift aims to provide monthly retirement income instead of lump sum payouts and is expected to introduce mandatory participation for informal workers, offering them a long-missing safety net.
She shared that fewer than 5% of Eswatini’s informal sector workers are currently enrolled in any voluntary retirement scheme. Most remain excluded from formal social protection and rely on limited national support.
Tembe also spoke about ENPF’s efforts to adopt digital tools and inclusive models to attract informal workers. She described the organisation’s mobile application, which allows self-registration, contribution tracking, and mobile money payments. These tools are designed to accommodate irregular income earners and reduce the dependency on traditional banking services.
“We are designing around the needs of informal workers using platforms they can access,” she said, referencing features such as automated reminders and flexible payment options aimed at encouraging consistent savings habits.
She pointed out that ENPF is engaging with communities through service centres and local gatherings to build awareness and trust. To reinforce transparency, ENPF holds annual stakeholder forums, shares investment updates, and runs education campaigns.
Tembe noted the importance of regional cooperation through SADC and the Southern African Social Security Association (ISSA), suggesting that harmonised policies, data sharing, and cross-border benefit portability could accelerate reforms across the region.
Eswatini’s proposed changes align with global frameworks, including the ILO Convention 102 and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on poverty eradication and decent work.
Also on the panel was Regis Rugemanshuro, CEO of the Rwanda Social Security Board, who shared his country’s approach to similar challenges. The session provided examples from Eswatini and Rwanda on how African countries are tackling the problem of providing pensions for workers in informal employment.
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