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“Phase 2 is a bold step forward,” says minister on revenue takeover

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Ezulwini, 26 September 2025 – The Eswatini Revenue Service has officially launched Phase 2 of its Revenue Takeover Project, marking a major step in centralising the collection of non-tax revenue across the country. Acting Minister of Finance, Honourable Apollo Maphalala, announced that ERS will now collect more than 150 fees on behalf of the government, including payments for services previously handled by individual ministries.

“Phase 2 of the Revenue Takeover Project is a bold step forward in our collective commitment to efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in revenue collection,” Minister Maphalala said during the launch at ERS headquarters. The event was attended by officials from the Ministry of ICT, the ERS and EPTC boards, government executives, and media representatives.

Phase 2 follows a pilot project launched in April 2024, where ERS began collecting company registration fees and trading licence renewals for the Ministry of Commerce. The first phase set the foundation for centralising and modernising government revenue collection. Minister Maphalala described the expansion as part of a long-term vision: “Our country’s tax law makes a clear provision that ERS is the central authority mandated to collect revenue on behalf of the Government. Today, we are seeing that vision come closer to full realisation.”

To increase accessibility, ERS has partnered with the Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation. Through this partnership, citizens will be able to make payments at 35 postal offices nationwide. The initiative aims to reduce travel, save costs, and bring government services closer to both urban and rural communities.

Officials confirmed that systems at EPTC offices are being configured to enable seamless payment processing. The go-live date is scheduled before the end of October, and government offices will continue to accept payments during the transition.

Minister Maphalala said the project is about more than efficiency, describing it as a trust-building measure for citizens: “It is about building a system that citizens can rely on, a system that is transparent, convenient, and fair. It is also about strengthening the Government’s ability to collect the revenue it needs to deliver services and invest in the development of our nation.”

The minister also acknowledged the work of ERS and EPTC staff, as well as the Ministry of ICT, for ensuring a smooth rollout. Citizens are encouraged to embrace the new system as it provides a centralised and modern platform for paying government fees.

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Written by
Adekunle Owolabi

Adekunle Owolabi is a journalist, political analyst, and digital strategist with experience across Africa and the Middle East. He focuses on international diplomacy, promotes digital inclusion, and advocates for a borderless Africa.

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