Where Savings and Credit Cooperatives Find Strength and Growth

ESASCCO is the association behind Eswatini's SACCOs. We help every savings and credit cooperative in the Kingdom offer fair loans, safe savings and honest service to the people who trust them.

Explore Our ServicesAbout ESASCCO
Members of a savings and credit cooperative meeting around a table

Our Services

Six service areas, one purpose: stronger SACCOs across the Kingdom. Explore each one below.

Computer network and server equipment in a SACCO data centre

ICT Services

Core banking systems, payment integrations and day-to-day IT support that keep your SACCO secure and connected.

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Financial records and a calculator on a desk

Financial Services

Central Finance Facility and Extended CFF funding, plus the Group Provident Fund for SACCO employees' retirement security.

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ESASCCO representatives in a policy discussion with government and regulator stakeholders

Advocacy & Representation

One voice for the SACCO sector — engaging government, the regulator and development partners on policy, legislation and the issues that affect your cooperative.

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ESASCCO members and staff at a cooperative development workshop

About ESASCCO

The Eswatini Association of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (ESASCCO) is the apex body for Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) in the Kingdom of Eswatini. Established on 6 June 1988, ESASCCO is registered under the Eswatini Cooperative Societies Act and operates as a representative, support, and development agency for the cooperative financial sector.

Serving 40 SACCOs with a combined membership of over 60 000 members, ESASCCO plays a critical role in promoting sustainable cooperative growth, sound governance, and financial inclusion. We work closely with our member SACCOs to enhance operational efficiency, build institutional capacity, and advocate for enabling policy and regulatory environments.

40Member SACCOs
60 000+Members Served
1988Established
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In Their Own Words

We could tell you what we do. Better that you hear it from the shop owners, chairpersons, and savings groups we work with.

"Before I joined a SACCO under ESASCCO, no bank would look at me. Today my spaza shop has grown into two outlets and I pay three people a salary. This model works for ordinary Swatis like me."
Nomsa DlaminiSmall Business Owner, Manzini
"The training from ESASCCO changed the way our board thinks. We used to react to problems; now we plan ahead. Our membership grew by 40% in two years."
Sipho MkhontaChairperson, Lubombo Rural SACCO
"The Central Finance Facility gave us the liquidity to fund a big project in our community. ESASCCO did not just hand us money — they taught us how to use it well."
Mandla ShongweCEO, Hhohho Women's Savings Group

Get In Touch

If you run a SACCO and want to join us, if you want to work with us, or if you are simply a member with a question, send us a message. A real person will get back to you.

+268 2404 0278

Mon – Fri (08:00 – 17:00)

info@esascco.org.sz
Mabandla Street, Mbabane, below St Marks High School, Mbabane, Swaziland, H100

Send Us a Message

SACCO Trainings

Comprehensive training programmes built for cooperative societies — strengthening governance, operational efficiency, financial management and member engagement in every SACCO we serve.

Book a TrainingSee Our Programmes
Facilitator presenting to SACCO board members at an ESASCCO training workshop

What Our Training Covers

Six practical areas, delivered through workshops, seminars, customised in-house programmes and continuous professional development — so your cooperative stays sustainable, competitive and well managed.

Corporate Governance & Leadership

For boards, supervisory committees and management. The duties of directors, meeting procedure, financial oversight, conflict of interest and succession planning — so your leaders govern with confidence and accountability.

Financial Literacy & Credit Management

For members, loan officers and credit committees. Household budgeting, saving with purpose, borrowing wisely, understanding the true cost of credit, appraisal, loan policy and arrears follow-up.

Risk Management & Compliance

Internal controls, provisioning, security and guarantees, and the regulatory requirements your SACCO must meet. The disciplines that keep a loan book healthy and an institution resilient.

SACCO Operations & Administration

Day-to-day running of a cooperative: record keeping, member registers, savings and share administration, reporting to the board and the regulator, and efficient office practice.

Customer Service & Member Relations

Front-office staff and member-facing teams learn how to welcome members, handle enquiries and complaints, communicate clearly and keep members loyal to their cooperative.

Digital Transformation & Innovation

Moving your SACCO onto digital systems with confidence — core banking, mobile money and payments, data protection, and the change management that makes new technology stick.

How a Training Engagement Works

From your first call to the follow-up visit, a training engagement usually runs over four to six weeks.

  1. Request and needs assessment

    You tell us what your SACCO needs. We meet your board or management, review your policies and performance, and agree the outcomes the training must deliver.

  2. Proposal and schedule

    We send a written proposal with the programme outline, duration, facilitator, venue and cost. Once approved, we agree dates that suit your board and staff calendar.

  3. Delivery

    Sessions are practical and participatory — case studies, group work and your own figures. We deliver at your premises, at our Mbabane offices, or at a regional venue for groups of SACCOs.

  4. Certification and follow-up

    Participants receive certificates of attendance. We follow up with your SACCO afterwards, and can return for refresher sessions or a board self-assessment.

SACCO staff member taking an online training course on a laptop

Online Training Platform

Learn anytime, anywhere. Our Online Training Platform gives SACCOs and cooperative stakeholders convenient access to learning and professional development, with flexible and interactive digital courses that keep capacity building going all year round.

  • Self-paced online courses
  • Access to training materials and resources
  • Assessments and progress tracking
  • Certification upon course completion

Participants build their knowledge and skills efficiently while cutting travel and training costs — continuous learning that supports the growth and professionalism of the whole cooperative sector.

Inspector reviewing financial records and reports during a cooperative inspection

Cooperative Inspections

We inspect SACCOs and other cooperatives to assess operational, financial and governance performance. Inspections confirm compliance with regulatory requirements, promote accountability and strengthen institutional sustainability.

  • Governance and board effectiveness
  • Financial management and reporting
  • Loan administration and portfolio quality
  • Internal controls and risk management
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Member services and operational efficiency

Book Training for Your SACCO

Tell us which programme you are interested in and how many participants you expect. We will come back to you with dates, a facilitator and a quotation — usually within three working days.

Email the Training UnitCall +268 2404 0278

Office hours: Mon – Fri, 08:00 – 17:00. You can also send us a message from the contact form on our home page.

ESASCCO Insurance Brokerage

Insurance Services

ESASCCO Insurance Brokerage provides reliable and affordable insurance products designed to protect individuals, families, employees and businesses. As a registered brokerage, we shop the market on your behalf, explain the cover in plain language, and stand with you when it is time to claim.

Request a QuoteSee Our Cover Options
Insurance broker explaining cover options to a client across a desk
  • Registered brokerage under the FSRA Act
  • Funeral claims paid out within 48 hours
  • Cover for members, families and employees

Funeral Schemes

Two funeral plans built around cooperative life — one for members only, one that covers the whole family. Both pay out quickly, so a family can mourn without worrying about the cost.

Umndvundvuti Funeral Scheme

Member-only cover for cooperative members

Designed to provide family support to the loved ones of cooperative members in the event of their passing, with immediate coverage and fast claim processing.

Benefit options and monthly premium
Benefit amountE6 000E10 000E15 000E20 000
PremiumE6E10E15E20

Key features

  • Immediate coverage
  • Entry age up to 70 years
  • Fast payouts within 48 hours

Umndeni Wami Group Funeral Scheme

Flexible family funeral cover

Extended funeral protection for the whole family under one affordable plan — one premium, one policy, everyone covered.

Benefit options and monthly premium
Benefit amountE10 000E20 000E30 000E40 000E50 000
PremiumE20E40E60E80E100

Who can be covered

  • Main member
  • Spouse
  • Up to 6 children under 21 years
  • Extended family members under 65 years

Claim Requirements

To process a claim, the following documents are required. Send them to us and we will handle the rest — most funeral claims are settled within 48 hours of a complete submission.

  • Death certificate
  • Copy of ID
  • Mortuary letter
  • Doctor’s or Umphakatsi letter
  • Proof of relationship
  • Banking details
Family home and car protected by personal insurance cover

Personal Insurance

Personal insurance solutions that help individuals and families protect their homes, vehicles and valuable belongings against unexpected loss or damage.

Comprehensive Motor Insurance

What is covered

  • Accidental damage
  • Fire damage
  • Theft
  • Hijacking
  • Weather-related incidents

Buildings Insurance

What is covered

  • Residential buildings
  • Boundary walls
  • Roof structures
  • Permanent fixtures

Home Contents Insurance

What is covered

  • Household furniture
  • Electronics and appliances
  • Loss, theft or accidental damage

Business Insurance

Tailored commercial insurance solutions designed to protect businesses of all sizes against operational risks and financial losses — from a single trading store to a full SACCO office with staff, stock and vehicles.

Commercial Insurance Solutions

Cover for your premises, stock, equipment, business interruption and liability, arranged around how your business actually operates.

Workmen’s Compensation

Statutory cover for your employees against injury, disease or death arising from their work — protecting your people and keeping your business compliant.

Credit Life Insurance

Cover that settles a member’s outstanding loan balance in the event of death or disability, so a family is not left carrying the debt and your loan book stays protected.

Cash Back Bonus

Insure with ESASCCO Insurance Brokerage and you can earn a cash back bonus. When your policy runs a clean year, a share of the premium comes back to you — a reward for staying covered and claiming less.

Bonus terms and qualifying periods are confirmed in your policy schedule. Ask us how the bonus works on the cover you choose.

Family receiving support and comfort from their funeral cover

Request a Quote

Tell us what you need covered — a funeral scheme for your cooperative, your home and vehicle, or insurance for your business and staff. We will compare the market and come back to you with options and a quotation.

Email the BrokerageCall +268 2404 0278

Office hours: Mon – Fri, 08:00 – 17:00. Mabandla Street, Mbabane, below St Marks High School.

ESASCCO Digital Solutions

ICT Services

An integrated technology ecosystem for savings and credit cooperatives — a modern core financial platform, digital service channels, payments, insurance administration, human resources and payroll, and enterprise accounting. One shared infrastructure, so your cooperative modernises its operations without procuring and managing a stack of disconnected systems.

Request a DemonstrationSee What We Deliver
Operations dashboard showing digital financial services data
  • Cloud-native core financial services platform
  • Mobile, internet, USSD and WhatsApp channels
  • Security, governance and audit built in

One Integrated Digital Ecosystem

Every component below is delivered through shared digital infrastructure and established partnerships, and each one talks to the others. Members, savings, loans, transactions, cover, staff and accounts all live in the same environment — no re-keying, no reconciliation between systems.

Core Financial Platform

A globally deployed, cloud-native core banking platform sits at the centre of the ecosystem. It manages members, savings, shares, loan products and transactions on a modern, scalable foundation that grows with your balance sheet.

Mobile Banking

Members check balances, move money between savings and shares, repay loans and receive statements from their own phones — the channel most members reach for first.

Internet Banking

A secure browser portal for members and staff who prefer a full screen — detailed statements, standing instructions, bulk transactions and administrative tasks.

USSD Banking

Menu-driven banking that works on any handset, with no data and no smartphone required — so members in the most remote areas are never left out of the digital service.

WhatsApp Banking

Balance enquiries, mini statements and service requests handled in the app members already use every day, with a conversation trail they can keep.

Payments & Integrations

Mobile money, card, bank and wallet payments connected to the core, with real-time posting and automatic reconciliation instead of end-of-day manual matching.

Insurance Administration

Member and family cover administered on the same platform as savings and loans — registrations, premiums, claims and reporting in one place, with the brokerage behind it.

HR & Payroll

Staff records, leave, contracts and payroll processing with statutory deductions, payslips and bank or wallet disbursement — and salary deductions feeding straight into loan repayments.

Accounting & ERP

General ledger, budgets, procurement, assets and management reporting, with the core platform posting transactions into the books automatically.

Debit Cards & ATMs

Branded debit cards for members and access to the shared ATM network, so cash is available beyond the branch counter and outside office hours.

EFT & Bulk Payments

Electronic funds transfer for salaries, supplier payments, dividends and member payouts — uploaded once, authorised, and confirmed with a full audit trail.

Credit Bureau Integration

Credit checks on loan applications and reporting of loan performance, so credit decisions are made on evidence and your loan book stays clean and defensible.

How an Implementation Runs

We do not switch a cooperative over in one weekend. Delivery is phased, tested at every stage, and paced so your staff are confident before the next step begins.

  1. Discovery & requirements

    We sit with your board, management and staff, review your products, policies and current systems, and agree the scope, priorities and success measures.

  2. Solution design

    We map your savings and loan products, chart of accounts, user roles and integrations, then document the target configuration for your approval.

  3. Configuration & data migration

    The platform is configured to your products, and member, savings, loan and ledger records are migrated, validated and reconciled against your existing balances.

  4. Integration & testing

    Payments, cards, EFT, credit bureau and channel connections are switched on and tested end to end, including parallel runs before go-live.

  5. Training & go-live

    Tellers, loan officers, accountants and administrators are trained on their own roles, then we go live with our team on site through the first days of live transactions.

  6. Support & optimisation

    After go-live we monitor performance, resolve issues, apply updates and review usage with you — so the platform keeps improving as your cooperative grows.

Secure server infrastructure protecting cooperative member data

Security & Governance

Member money and member data demand more than good intentions. The ecosystem is built on hardened infrastructure, controlled access and a clear audit trail, and it is governed by agreed policies rather than by habit.

  • Encryption of data in transit and at rest
  • Role-based access and segregation of duties
  • Multi-factor authentication for staff users
  • Complete audit logs of every transaction and change
  • Automated backups and tested disaster recovery
  • Data protection aligned to regulatory requirements
  • Business continuity planning and periodic security reviews
Cooperative staff being trained on a new digital banking system

Training & Support

Technology only works when people use it well. Every implementation includes structured training for each role in your cooperative, written user guides, and a support channel that answers in hours rather than weeks.

  • Role-based training for tellers, loan officers, accountants and administrators
  • User manuals, quick-reference guides and short how-to videos
  • Help desk by phone, email and WhatsApp during office hours
  • On-site support during go-live and the first weeks of live operation
  • Refresher sessions when staff change or new modules are added
  • Service levels, escalation path and regular performance reporting

Request a Demonstration

See the ecosystem working before you commit to anything. Tell us how your cooperative operates today and we will arrange a demonstration of the core platform, the member channels and the modules that matter most to you.

Email the Digital Solutions TeamCall +268 2404 0278

Office hours: Mon – Fri, 08:00 – 17:00. Mabandla Street, Mbabane, below St Marks High School.

ESASCCO Financial Services

Funding and Retirement Solutions for Cooperatives

ESASCCO gives savings and credit cooperatives access to affordable funding and a structured retirement savings scheme. Through the Central Finance Facility, the Extended CFF and the ESASCCO Group Provident Fund, cooperatives strengthen their liquidity, lend more confidently and look after the people who work for them.

Request FundingSee the Facilities
Cooperative finance committee reviewing funding options around a table
  • Competitively low-interest funding
  • Long-term liquidity and stability
  • Retirement security for cooperative staff

Central Finance Facility

ESASCCO supports cooperatives through the Central Finance Facility (CFF) by providing access to competitively low-interest funding. This enables cooperatives to mobilise member savings more effectively and strengthen their capacity to offer affordable lending solutions to their members.

CFF Funding

Short to medium-term liquidity at low interest, drawn against your cooperative's savings base. The facility is designed to keep cash flowing so members can be served without interruption.

  • Competitively low interest rates
  • Strengthens member savings mobilisation
  • Supports affordable member lending

Extended CFF

Through the Extended CFF, ESASCCO provides long-term, strategic financing solutions designed to enhance liquidity, strengthen financial stability, and support sustainable growth. These facilities help cooperatives manage financial pressures while continuing to deliver reliable and accessible credit services.

  • Long-term strategic financing
  • Enhanced liquidity and stability
  • Room to grow without pressure
Employee reviewing retirement savings documents with an adviser

ESASCCO Group Provident Fund

The Group Provident Fund is a structured retirement savings solution designed to provide cooperative employees with long-term financial security upon retirement. It serves as a disciplined savings mechanism that ensures employees build meaningful pension benefits throughout their working life.

Under this arrangement, a total contribution of 20% of an employee's basic salary is made monthly into the fund. This contribution is shared between the employee and the employer in a structured ratio of 7.5% (employee) and 12.5% (employer).

  • 20% of basic salary contributed every month
  • 7.5% from the employee, 12.5% from the employer
  • Long-term security at retirement

How the 20% Contribution is Shared

Employee contribution
7.5% of basic salary
Employer contribution
12.5% of basic salary
Total monthly contribution
20% of basic salary

Talk to Us About Funding

Whether you need short-term liquidity through the CFF, longer-term financing through the Extended CFF, or want to enrol your staff on the Group Provident Fund, tell us what your cooperative needs. We will explain the terms and guide you through the application.

Email the Finance UnitCall +268 2404 0278

Office hours: Mon – Fri, 08:00 – 17:00. Mabandla Street, Mbabane, below St Marks High School.

ESASCCO Compliance Unit

Compliance Services

Designed to help SACCOs and cooperative institutions operate in line with regulatory requirements, industry standards and sound governance practices. We provide practical support and advisory solutions that strengthen institutional integrity, reduce risk exposure and promote sustainable operations.

Request Compliance SupportSee Our Services
Compliance officer reviewing regulatory documents and audit files at a desk
  • Advisory aligned to Eswatini legislation
  • Policies, procedures and internal controls
  • Board and staff capacity building

What Our Compliance Support Covers

Four areas of practical support, drawn from the laws and regulatory instruments that govern savings and credit cooperatives in Eswatini. Each engagement starts with where your institution stands today and ends with a written plan you can act on.

AML/CFT Support

Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism

Assisting SACCOs in strengthening their Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) frameworks to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and best practices.

The Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 requires accountable institutions to identify and verify customers, keep records of transactions, monitor for suspicious activity and report it to the Financial Intelligence Unit. SACCOs handling member deposits and loans fall within the scope of these obligations.

Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011

Our support services include

  • AML/CFT policy and procedure development
  • Risk assessment and compliance reviews
  • Staff and board training on AML/CFT requirements
  • Guidance on customer due diligence (CDD) and KYC procedures
  • Monitoring and reporting support
  • Compliance awareness and institutional capacity building

FSRA Inspection Support

Preparing for the regulator with confidence

Professional support to SACCOs preparing for inspections conducted by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). Services help institutions assess readiness, address compliance gaps and improve operational standards.

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority Act, 2010 establishes the FSRA as the regulator of non-bank financial institutions, with powers to license, supervise and inspect institutions under its mandate. Cooperatives accepting member deposits are expected to keep records, submit returns and open their books to inspection.

Financial Services Regulatory Authority Act, 2010

Support includes

  • Pre-inspection assessments and compliance reviews
  • Guidance on regulatory requirements
  • Documentation review and preparation
  • Assistance in addressing identified gaps and recommendations
  • Advisory support during and after inspections

Policy Development & Harmonization

Policies that match the law and your institution

Supporting cooperatives in developing, reviewing and harmonizing policies to align with regulatory requirements, institutional objectives and industry best practices.

The Cooperative Societies Act, 2003 sets out how a registered cooperative is constituted and governed — its by-laws, the duties of its committee, the conduct of general meetings, the keeping of proper books of account and the audit of its affairs. A SACCO's internal policies must sit within that framework.

Cooperative Societies Act, 2003

Areas covered include

  • Governance policies
  • Credit and lending policies
  • Human resource policies
  • Risk management policies
  • Financial and operational procedures
  • Compliance and internal control frameworks

Governance Advisory

Leadership, accountability and institutional performance

Governance advisory services aimed at strengthening leadership, accountability and institutional performance within cooperative institutions. We work with boards, supervisory committees and management on the structures and disciplines that make good governance routine rather than occasional.

The Companies Act, 2009 codifies the duties of directors — to act in good faith in the best interests of the company, to exercise care, skill and diligence, and to avoid conflicts of interest. The King IV Report on Corporate Governance provides the principles of ethical leadership, effective control and responsible corporate citizenship that cooperative boards increasingly adopt as their own standard.

Companies Act, 2009 and the King IV Report on Corporate Governance

Advisory covers

  • Board roles, duties and terms of reference
  • Committee structures and delegation of authority
  • Board and committee meeting practice and minutes
  • Conflict of interest and code of conduct frameworks
  • Board self-assessment and succession planning
  • Reporting to members and to the regulator

How a Compliance Engagement Works

From the first conversation to the follow-up review, a compliance engagement usually runs over four to eight weeks, depending on the size of your institution and the number of policies involved.

  1. Scoping and document review

    We meet your board or management and review your by-laws, policies, registers, returns and last inspection report to establish where your institution stands.

  2. Gap analysis

    We set what we find against the applicable legislation and regulatory requirements, and give you a written schedule of gaps ranked by risk and urgency.

  3. Remediation and drafting

    We help you close the gaps — drafting or harmonizing policies, tightening procedures and internal controls, and preparing the documentation the regulator will ask for.

  4. Training and follow-up

    Your board, committee and staff are trained on the new framework, and we return after an agreed period to check that the practices have taken hold.

Talk to the Compliance Unit

Tell us which area you need help with — AML/CFT, an upcoming FSRA inspection, policy development or governance advisory — and how many institutions or staff are involved. We will come back to you with a scope and a quotation, usually within three working days.

Email the Compliance UnitCall +268 2404 0278

Office hours: Mon – Fri, 08:00 – 17:00. Mabandla Street, Mbabane, below St Marks High School.

About ESASCCO

ESASCCO LTD — the Eswatini Association of Savings and Credit Cooperatives — is the apex body for the savings and credit cooperatives of Eswatini. We were registered on 6 June 1988 under the Eswatini Cooperative Societies Act of 1964 as amended, granted a Certificate of Registration under Regulation 4 (a) of 2003 No. 162, and registered under the provisions of Section 9 of the Cooperative Societies Act No. 5 of 2005, as amended, by the Commissioner for Cooperative Development.

ESASCCO members and staff gathered at a cooperative meeting in Eswatini
  • Registered apex body since 1988
  • 40 SACCOs and about 60 000+ members
  • Affiliated to local and international credit union structures

Who We Are

ESASCCO is the apex body for the Savings and Credit Cooperatives of Eswatini. Registered in 1988, the organisation exists to serve, represent and strengthen the SACCO movement — giving cooperatives a single voice with regulators, government and development partners, and a shared platform for the services they need to grow.

ESASCCO strives for operational excellence and efficiency, and is poised to operate under best practice principles. That is why the organisation is affiliated and linked to local and international credit union structures, which also enables it to access and adhere to global, industry-wide quality standards of programme delivery.

Currently the organisation serves forty (40) SACCOs in the country with about 60 000+ members. The organisation operates following good governance principles, with the Board of Directors playing the oversight role while management and staff execute high quality service delivery to exceed customer satisfaction.

1988

Registered on 6 June under the Eswatini Cooperative Societies Act

40

SACCOs served across the country

60 000+

Members within the SACCO movement

Apex

Body for savings and credit cooperatives in Eswatini

Registered under Section 9 of the Cooperative Societies Act No. 5 of 2005, as amended, by the Commissioner for Cooperative Development.

Core Statements

What ESASCCO is here to do, and the principles by which we do it.

Our Vision

To be an innovation and inclusion driven Apex of choice for sustainable service delivery and growth of Co-operatives.

Our Mission

To offer outstanding support and services that advocate for and uphold the principles of Cooperatives, giving representation and reinforcement.

Our Values

  • Innovation

    Embracing creativity and new ideas to drive continuous improvement and stay ahead in a dynamic environment.

  • Transparency

    Operating with openness and honesty in all communications and decisions to build trust and credibility.

  • Integrity

    Upholding strong moral and ethical principles, even when it is challenging or inconvenient.

  • Accountability

    Taking ownership of actions, decisions and outcomes, and being answerable to stakeholders.

  • Customer-centricity

    Putting customers at the heart of every decision, service and interaction.

  • Teamwork

    Working together, across the association and with our member SACCOs, to achieve shared goals.

Our Mandate

ESASCCO acts as the representative, support and development body of the SACCO movement in Eswatini.

The association is mandated by its members to represent, promote and develop savings and credit cooperatives in the Kingdom of Eswatini, in line with the principles of the international cooperative movement and the laws of the country.

In carrying out that mandate, ESASCCO works closely with the Commissioner for Cooperative Development under the Cooperative Societies Act No. 5 of 2005, with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority, and with local and international credit union bodies.

  • Represent member SACCOs before government, regulators and development partners.
  • Advocate for a policy and regulatory environment that allows cooperatives to grow.
  • Build capacity through training, technical assistance and continuous professional development.
  • Inspect and monitor SACCOs to promote compliance, accountability and sound governance.
  • Provide shared services that individual SACCOs could not deliver efficiently on their own.
  • Promote the cooperative identity, member education and the growth of the movement.

Strategic Objectives

The priorities that guide ESASCCO's work with member SACCOs over the coming years.

  1. Sustainable growth of the SACCO movement

    Grow membership, savings and share capital across the sector, and support SACCOs to reach new members in both urban and rural areas.

  2. Sound governance and compliance

    Strengthen board oversight, internal controls and regulatory compliance in every member SACCO, so the movement remains credible and trusted.

  3. Digital transformation and innovation

    Extend shared digital infrastructure and service channels to member SACCOs, improving efficiency, inclusion and the member experience.

  4. Financial sustainability of the association

    Diversify and grow ESASCCO's income through valued services, so the association can invest in the movement it serves.

  5. Capacity building and professionalism

    Develop the skills of directors, committees, management and staff through structured training and continuous professional development.

  6. Strategic partnerships and advocacy

    Deepen relationships with regulators, government, development partners and international credit union structures to advance the interests of cooperatives.

Our Approach

ESASCCO works through shared infrastructure, close relationships with member SACCOs and a practical, hands-on way of doing things. Four principles shape how we serve the cooperative movement.

Member-centred service

Everything we build starts with the member at the counter. We listen to SACCO boards, management and members, then design services that make their day-to-day work simpler and their cooperative stronger.

Shared strength

No SACCO should have to buy and manage every system on its own. Through shared digital infrastructure, group schemes and collective bargaining, we give even the smallest cooperative access to the same tools as the largest.

Practical capacity building

Training, inspections and technical support are delivered in plain language and at the SACCO's own pace. We leave skills behind, not just documents — so cooperatives can run their own affairs with confidence.

Accountability and good governance

We hold ourselves and our members to the highest standards of transparency, sound governance and regulatory compliance — because trust is the foundation on which every cooperative is built.

Executive Members

ESASCCO is led by an executive committee elected from the member cooperatives it serves. The committee sets the association's direction, oversees its finances and represents the cooperative movement in Eswatini.

  • President of the ESASCCO executive committee

    Mr. Khaya Mavuso - Lubane SACCO

    President

    Leads the committee, chairs its meetings and represents ESASCCO before the regulator, government and development partners.

  • Vice President of the ESASCCO executive committee

    Ms. Gugu Mabuza - SNAT SACCO

    Vice President

    Supports the president and stands in when needed, with particular responsibility for member relations and regional coordination.

  • Secretary of the ESASCCO executive committee

    Mr. Mandla Kunene - Nyonikayiphumuli SACCO

    Secretary

    Keeps the records of the association, manages correspondence and ensures the committee's decisions are properly documented and communicated.

  • Treasurer of the ESASCCO executive committee

    Mr. Sifiso Dlamini - Green Pastures SACCO

    Treasurer

    Custodian of the association's finances — budgeting, financial reporting, the Central Finance Facility and the audit relationship.

  • Executive Manager of the ESASCCO secretariat

    Mr. Wonderboy Khumalo 

    Executive Manager · Ex officio

    Heads the secretariat that carries out the committee's decisions — the day-to-day management of training, inspections, insurance, digital solutions and member support.

The executive committee is elected by the member cooperatives at the association's general meeting and serves a term set out in the ESASCCO constitution.

Work With ESASCCO

Whether you are an established SACCO, a cooperative wanting to register, or a partner looking to support the movement, our team is ready to help.

Email ESASCCOCall +268 2404 0278

Office hours: Mon – Fri, 08:00 – 17:00. Mabandla Street, Mbabane, below St Marks High School.

ESASCCO Advocacy

Advocacy & Representation

ESASCCO is the single voice of the savings and credit cooperative sector in Eswatini. We carry the interests of our member SACCOs into the rooms where policy, legislation and regulation are decided — and we bring the concerns of the sector back to the table until they are heard.

Raise an IssueSee What We Do
ESASCCO representatives in a policy discussion with government and regulator stakeholders
  • One voice for 40 member SACCOs
  • Speaking for over 60 000 members
  • Engaging government, the regulator and partners

Speaking for the Sector

A SACCO acting alone is easy to overlook. Forty SACCOs speaking through one association are not. ESASCCO takes the shared position of our members to the Ministry, to the regulator and to the development partners who shape how cooperative finance grows in the Kingdom.

Parliament building where cooperative legislation and policy are debated

Who we speak to

Our representation work is deliberate and continuous, not a once-a-year submission. We maintain standing relationships with the institutions that decide the operating environment for every SACCO in Eswatini.

  • Government ministries and departments responsible for cooperatives and finance
  • The financial services regulator and supervisory authorities
  • Development partners and donor programmes supporting financial inclusion
  • National cooperative and financial sector bodies where SACCOs must be represented

What Our Advocacy Covers

Four areas of work, each one aimed at the same outcome: an environment in which a savings and credit cooperative can grow, serve its members and be treated fairly.

Policy & Legislative Engagement

We review draft laws, regulations and policy papers that affect cooperative finance, and we submit the sector's position in writing and in person. Where a proposal would harm SACCOs, we say so and we propose an alternative that works.

Representation on Sector Bodies

ESASCCO sits on the committees, working groups and sector forums where decisions about cooperatives are made. We take a member mandate into those rooms, so the SACCO view is present when it matters — not reported afterwards.

Member Voice & Consultation

We consult our members before we take a position. Through meetings, surveys and the annual general assembly, SACCOs tell us what is working and what is not — and that becomes the mandate we carry to government and the regulator.

Partnerships & Sector Development

We build and manage relationships with development partners, technical assistance providers and other cooperative movements. Those partnerships bring funding, expertise and programmes to the sector — and we make sure the benefit reaches member SACCOs.

Cooperative members in consultation with ESASCCO representatives

How the Member Voice Reaches Us

Advocacy only works if it starts with the people it represents. Every position ESASCCO takes should be traceable back to something a member SACCO raised. Here is how that happens.

  1. You raise the issue

    A board, a manager or a member brings a problem to ESASCCO — a regulation that is unclear, a cost that is unfair, a policy that does not fit how a SACCO actually works.

  2. We verify and gather

    We check whether other SACCOs are affected, gather the facts and figures, and confirm the issue is a sector matter rather than a single-institution dispute.

  3. We take a position

    The Secretariat prepares a written position, and where needed the Executive Committee endorses it as the official view of the association.

  4. We engage and report back

    We raise it with the relevant authority, follow it through, and report the outcome to members — including when the answer is not the one we wanted.

Partnerships That Strengthen the Sector

ESASCCO works with development partners, technical assistance providers and cooperative bodies to bring resources, training and programmes into Eswatini's SACCO sector. We negotiate on behalf of members, coordinate delivery, and make sure a partnership delivers something a SACCO can actually use.

If your organisation works in financial inclusion, cooperative development or rural finance and would like to partner with ESASCCO, get in touch with the Secretariat.

Partnership agreement signing between ESASCCO and a development partner

Raise an Issue With ESASCCO

If your SACCO has a problem with a policy, a regulation or the way the sector is being treated, tell us. Put it in writing with the background and any supporting documents, and the Secretariat will take it up. Issues that affect more than one SACCO are strongest — so tell us if you know others are affected too.

Email the SecretariatCall +268 2404 0278

Office hours: Mon – Fri, 08:00 – 17:00. Mabandla Street, Mbabane, below St Marks High School.