THE Ministry of Finance is working round the clock to finalise the 2026/27 financial budget.
Speaking during Finance in Focus, Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg revealed that Cabinet had approved the budget.
He said the finance committee would be returning to Cabinet this week as the process moves forward.
Rijkenberg said the budget process was ongoing, noting that for the coming financial year government had accommodated the salary review, which had placed pressure on the current budget. He said this demonstrated government’s commitment to supporting public servants while maintaining fiscal discipline.
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The minister said details would be announced in the budget speech, which is expected towards the end of February.
“These developments highlight ongoing efforts to strengthen financial systems, support local businesses and enhance transparency, setting a positive tone for the new financial year,” he said.
“Hopefully, the process will be fine from the budget perspective and we believe that once that is done, obviously the budget speech will take place.
“The House of Assembly and Senate will look at it, after which it goes to His Majesty King Mswati III and His Majesty’s Council with certificates.
“Once the King signs it off, the budget becomes open and available to be used for the new financial year, in this case beginning on April 1, 2026,” said Rijkenberg.
A major highlight of the update is the roll-out of the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMIS), a digital transformation initiative expected to revolutionise public finance management.
The minister said with the implementation of IFMIS, government would move towards fully digital, transparent systems while streamlining procurement processes from ministries placing orders.
He stressed that from April 1, 2026, suppliers must ensure that they have valid purchase orders, as access to the system would not be possible without them.
Rijkenberg explained that IFMIS differs from the current system, where retrospective assistance is sometimes possible.
“If you have supplied and do not have an order, ensure from a supplier’s point of view that you have the order. Get that process right and get it neatened up,” he said, adding that it would be difficult to assist suppliers who fail to comply under the new system.
