Eswatini reports trade surplus and stable stock market value

Eswatini recorded a preliminary merchandise trade surplus of E194.09 million in August 2026. According to the Eswatini Revenue Service, exports rose by 9.38% year-on-year to E3.86 billion, while imports decreased by 3.28% to E3.67 billion. This surplus was driven by increased exports of sugar and concentrates, while lower imports of electrical energy and concentrates contributed to the decline in imports.

Despite the monthly surplus, the country maintained a cumulative merchandise trade deficit of E878.39 million for the first five months of the 2026/27 financial year. This represents an improvement from the E1.02 billion deficit recorded during the same period in the previous year.

On the financial front, the Eswatini Stock Exchange (ESE) market capitalisation remained stable at E7.053 billion in August 2026, showing no month-on-month change. However, the total market value is 3.96% higher than in August 2025. First National Bank of Eswatini remains the largest listed company, accounting for 27.97% of the total market value, followed by Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation at 24.59%.