Mbabane – The Eswatini government’s move to increase the border cash limit has been applauded by financial analysts, who see it as a positive step towards boosting regional trade and improving the nation’s financial competitiveness.
This praise follows the announcement by Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg during this week’s Finance in Focus that the Eswatini government is enacting a reform that would raise the border cash limit from the current E 1000.00 limit.
Experts believe the adjustments will not only make cross-border transactions more efficient but also encourage compliance, reduce undeclared cash movements and stimulate investment confidence.
Economist Dr. Thulani, cited by Eswatini Daily News, praised the government’s action, stating that it might give small-scale traders who frequently travel across borders a much-needed boost. A reasonable rise, he continued, would make Eswatini’s policy more sensitive to the realities of regional trade.
Financial governance consultant Nompilo Mabuza warned against sacrificing openness and compliance. Although the reform is long overdue, she continued, it must be accompanied by strict control.
The Eswatini Revenue Service and other border management organisations are working together to conduct the evaluation, according to the Ministry of Finance. The goal of the consultations is to achieve a compromise between protecting against illegal financial activities and facilitating cash flow for authorised tourists.
The cash limit review forms part of a larger digital transformation agenda within the Ministry of Finance, which includes the rollout of automated systems for processing declarations and payments at border gates. Rijkenberg said these upgrades will reduce manual paperwork, improve transparency, and make it easier for both citizens and businesses to engage with government systems.
Crucially, the reforms are being positioned within Eswatini’s wider economic strategy to attract investment and strengthen its role in regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The Finance Minister emphasised that the new systems would comply with international anti-money-laundering standards.
As the government finalises technical and legal reviews, Rijkenberg reiterated his commitment.
to implement changes that reflect both modern trade dynamics and fiscal responsibility. “We are streamlining our systems not just for efficiency,” he said, “but to make it easier for every business and traveller to engage transparently with Eswatini’s economy.”
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