Ezulwini- The Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) is moving to broaden private-sector participation in its electronic invoicing programme, with three technology providers being integrated into the TaxCore system.
The development was announced during the opening of the 2026 Filing Season, where the ERS Commissioner General Brightwell Nkambule said the electronic invoicing programme would require businesses’ existing accounting and point-of-sale systems to communicate seamlessly with TaxCore.
The participation of the three technology providers is expected to form part of the technical ecosystem supporting the rollout, with the ERS placing particular emphasis on ensuring that the digital transition does not create additional compliance costs for businesses.
The CG said they were particularly encouraged that one of the three providers is a young local technology entrepreneur, describing the participation as an opportunity to increase the involvement of local technology companies and young Emaswati in the country’s digital transformation.
The authority said it wanted to see more local software developers and technology businesses participate in the TaxCore ecosystem as electronic invoicing expands.
Electronic invoicing is expected to improve the accuracy and integrity of sales information, strengthen the performance of the value-added tax (VAT) system and progressively automate elements of tax reporting.
For businesses, the shift will require their existing accounting and point-of-sale systems to connect with the tax authority’s TaxCore platform, creating a technological link between commercial transactions and the national tax administration system.
Fakudze stressed that the objective was not simply to introduce another compliance requirement, but to use technology to make compliance easier.
“Most importantly, technology must reduce the cost of compliance rather than increase it,” the authority said.
The authority said its vision remained 100 per cent voluntary compliance, which it acknowledged would require more than enforcement. It said taxpayer education, improved service, simplified processes and technology would all be necessary to reduce the cost and effort associated with meeting tax obligations.
The Authority is also expanding its Client Relationship Consultant (CRC) capacity, with the objective of progressively allocating every taxpayer an identifiable consultant who can assist with their tax obligations.
The electronic invoicing programme will therefore form part of a wider transformation of the revenue administration, with the ERS seeking to combine digital systems with more direct engagement with businesses.
For the successful execution of this, the authority has already begun engaging business associations on the programme.
Against that target, the ERS said strengthening the accuracy of sales information, improving VAT administration and making compliance more efficient would be important components of its revenue-mobilisation efforts.
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