Online company registration in Eswatini dropped significantly in the second quarter of 2026/27, with only 632 applicants using the service, compared to 2,127 in the same period of the previous financial year. This represents a decline of 1,495 online registrations. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade's report attributes the challenges to network connectivity problems and manual administrative processes. The decline raises questions about the effectiveness of the government's digital business services.
The registrar of companies registered 790 companies during the quarter, a 17% reduction from 952 in the same period in 2025/26. Despite the government's ambition to simplify business registration through digital platforms, the decline in online registrations is significant. The report notes that network connectivity challenges intermittently affect the efficiency and timeliness of departmental operations and service delivery. This has resulted in a substantial decrease in online company registrations.
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade's report identifies reliance on manual back-end processes and procedures as a major challenge. Manual payment processes at Eswatini Revenue Service have affected both company registration and renewal processes. This raises concerns about the extent to which the registration system has been integrated with other government services. The report was tabled in Parliament, highlighting the need for reforms.
The World Bank's 2025 Eswatini Economic Update highlights broader digital transformation challenges in the country. High broadband costs, limited interoperability between government systems, and digital skills gaps are major obstacles to Eswatini's digitalization ambitions. Only about 58% of the population uses the internet, despite nearly 95% having access to 4G network coverage. These challenges affect not only company registration but also the country's overall digital development.
The registrar's report indicates that the government intends to address administrative shortcomings through legislative and technological reforms. The planned activities for the next quarter include passing the Companies Bill in Parliament and securing approval for the development of an electronic business registry. These reforms aim to create a simplified business environment through digital registration platforms.
However, improving access to online registration will require more than introducing digital systems. Reliable connectivity, efficient payment mechanisms, and streamlined back-end processes are necessary to make the service accessible and dependable. The latest performance figures suggest that a comprehensive approach is needed to address the challenges facing online company registration in Eswatini.
The proposed reforms are expected to support the department's objective of creating a simplified business environment. The government aims to improve the ease of doing business in Eswatini through digital platforms. The success of these reforms will depend on their implementation and the government's ability to address the identified challenges. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade will need to work closely with other government agencies to ensure a seamless and efficient registration process.
Key points
- Online company registration in Eswatini declined by 70.3% in Q2 2026/27 due to network connectivity problems and manual administrative processes.
- The government plans to address administrative shortcomings through legislative and technological reforms, including the development of an electronic business registry.
- Reliable connectivity, efficient payment mechanisms, and streamlined back-end processes are necessary to make online registration accessible and dependable.
