Mbabane – The Ministry of Finance has reminded government suppliers to ensure that all goods and services are provided strictly against an official Government Order as the 2025-2026 financial year draws to a close.
Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg addressed the matter during the Finance In Focus programme aired on Friday February 6 2026, where he provided an update on supplier payments, outstanding projects and preparations for the new financial year.
“Once again, during our finance in focus. Just a little bit of an update on what’s going on at the Ministry of Finance and really trying to make it understandable for the man on the street so that we can just all get to understand what’s happening what’s happening here,” the minister said.
Rijkenberg said the ministry has largely caught up with payments owed to suppliers, with only invoices submitted towards the end of January still pending.
“At the moment, what will be outstanding to suppliers is invoices that have reach the ministry towards the end of January. And so very much update on that front or up to date on that front and things going well,” he said.
However, he noted that delays remain in payments linked to Millennium projects and some capital projects.
“Where we still need to catch up though is still we are still behind on payments to Millennium projects. There’s many Millennium projects payments that are outstanding still as well as a certain amount. We’ve been catching up quite nicely on the E way payments, but there’s still a bit outstanding there,” he said.
According to the minister, the outstanding payments are expected to be settled once anticipated funds are received.
“This will be done when the OPEC money comes in. As you’ll know, we’re hoping that the money from OPEC was going to to come in towards the end of January, but it has been a little bit delayed. The process has been a bit slow. We are hoping early next week that will come in,” he said.
He explained that once the funds are received, payments to Millennium projects and other capital projects will be cleared, allowing suppliers waiting under those projects to be paid.
Rijkenberg also addressed frequent complaints from suppliers about delayed payments, saying many cases are linked to failure to follow procurement procedures.
“Suppliers that supply government must please ensure that when they supply government, they are supplying on a government order,” he said.
He warned suppliers against delivering goods or services based on informal arrangements.
“If you know somebody or you’ve used to supplying and maybe the person says, ‘You know what, just supply me, just supply quickly, we’ll send the order to you.’ Please be very careful, suppliers,” he said.
Rijkenberg said invoices submitted without an official order often result in payment delays.
“So please always make sure if one supplies government, it has to be on a government order,” he said.
As the financial year closes, the minister announced that Government Orders will only be issued until February 10 2026. No new orders will be processed until the start of the new financial year on April 1 2026.
He said the ministry is preparing to close its books for the 2025 2026 financial year to allow accounts to be finalised and audited.
“So, from the 10th of February onwards, there shouldn’t be any more orders issued,” he said.
Suppliers with stock awaiting orders were urged to ensure all documentation is completed before the deadline, as those who miss it will have to wait until the next financial year.
The minister also spoke about the rollout of the Integrated Financial Management Information System IFMIS, which will take effect from April 1 2026.
“This integrated financial management system we’re putting in is now going to do a paperwork in the Ministry of Finance, it going to be a digital system, and it’s a very transparent system,” he said.
He added that under IFMIS, it will be difficult to assist suppliers who have supplied without a valid order, making compliance essential.
On the national budget, Rijkenberg said Cabinet has already approved it and the Finance Committee is expected to return to Cabinet next week.
He outlined that the budget will proceed through the House of Assembly and the Senate before being submitted for royal assent, ahead of implementation in the new financial year beginning April 1 2026.
Rijkenberg said the upcoming budget has accommodated the salary review, which has added pressure to government finances, and noted that the budget speech is expected towards the end of February.
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