Slow economic growth hampers ERS’ revenue collection performance

By Sifiso Sibandze

Eswatini Revenue Service’s (ERS) performance continues to be marred by the slow economic growth and impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the political unrest that hit the country in 2021.

Given this situation, the ERS collected a total of E10.7 billion in tax revenue, which reflects a 10 per cent below target. In its Annual Integrated Annual Report 2021/22, the ERS said the under collection was observed across most of the major tax types.

“Although the shortfall was E1.2 billion, it was above the previous year by 8.5 per cent,” the report reads. The ERS reported that it continued to see revenue growth that was below the economic growth rate, which is not uncharacteristic of an economy that is still recovering from the challenges brought about Covid-19 pandemic.