All petroleum products consumed in Eswatini are imported from the Durban refineries in South Africa by the Oil companies operating in the country who also distribute the products to filling stations and to commercial users where there is a regulation of product prices.

The Energy policy of the country requires that all Oil Companies establish minimum stocks. Each company is required to store a minimum quantity of stocks. Fuel storage for petrol and diesel continues to be a major concern to the Government. Petroleum fuel storage capacity in Eswatini currently stands at less than 5 days.

The Ministry has completed a feasibility study for the strategic stocks and a site investigation study which amongst other findings identified Phuzumoya is a suitable site for both under ground and above ground alternatives. The Ministry is now working on the possible options of financing the construction of a storage depot.

The Department of Energy under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy plays a regulatory role in the petroleum downstream activities, in particular the pricing of all controlled petroleum products i.e. petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin. The government's objective to keep petroleum prices affordable to the public is undermined by the volatility in international oil prices and the Lilangeni/Dollar exchange rate which the government has no control over.

The Ministry also regulates the number of service stations in the country through the Petrol Rationalisation Committee, which achieves its role through the Service Station Rationalisation Plan (RATPLAN). At the moment the Ministry is working on the Petroleum Bill and the RATPLAN is being reviewed to have it incorporated into the Petroleum Bill so that it is enforceable in law.

For more information on government and fuel provider contact details, please see the following links:  4.1 Government Contact List and 4.7 Fuel Providers Contact List.

Information may also be found at: http://www.mytravelcost.com/petrol-prices/ which is updated monthly. 

Fuel Pricing

Seasonal Variations 

Standards, Quality and Testing

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.

 There are no industry-threatening union issues in Eswatini. However there are protests over fuel hikes affecting transport operations. Eswatini road terrains after  a heavy rainy season can be challenging. The radius of operation for transporters includes in-country and cross border operations.

The current capacity meets domestic needs and the market has the capacity to accommodate an influx in demand from the humanitarian community; flexibilities per demand can be explored with current fleet or a mild boost.

Foreign operators are allowed to operate domestically, especially from within the SADC region.

For more information on transport company contact details, please see the following link:  4.8 Transporter Contact List 

The Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) is the regulatory body responsible for regulating the communications sector in Eswatini, constituting of telecommunication services and networks, broadcasting services, postal services and the use and allocation of radio spectrum. It derives its mandate from the Swaziland Communications Commission Act no. 10 of 2013. The Commission became operational on the 31st July 2013, effectively taking over all the regulatory powers of the sector from the Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC) and Eswatini Television Authority (Eswatini TV).

LICENCE TYPES

• COMMERCIAL TELEVISION BROADCASTING LICENCE
• COMMUNITY RADIO BROADCASTING LICENCE
• GENERAL LICENCE -ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE FOR IMPORTATION, DISTRIBUTION, OR SALE
• GENERAL LICENCE -ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WHICH DO NOT REQUIRE NUMBERING RESOURCES
• GENERAL LICENCE-ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE FOR INSTALLING AND MAINTENANCE OF EC EQUPMENT
• INDIVIDUAL LICENCE -ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK
• INDIVIDUAL LICENCE -ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE
• PUBLIC TELEVISION BROADCASTING LICENCE

Telecommunication Regulation

Regulations | Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM)

Below are types of regulations available in Eswatini;

1. Consumer Protection Regulations
2. Cryptography Regulations
3. Domain Name Administration Regulations
4. Facilities Sharing Regulations
5. Importation, Type Approval and Distribution of Communications Equipment Regulations
6. Interconnection Regulations
7. Licencing Regulations
8. Numbering Regulations
9. Quality of Service Regulations
10. Radio Communication and Frequency Spectrum Regulations
11. Subscriber Registration Regulations
12. Universal Service and Access Regulations

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)

For information on MNOs please visit the GSM Association website. 

Generic country information can be located from sources which are regularly maintained and reflect current facts and figures. For a general overview of country data related to the service and supply sectors, please consult the following sources:

The Observatory of Economic Complexity – MIT (OEC): Eswatini (SWZ) Exports, Imports, and Trade Partners | OEC - The Observatory of Economic Complexity

Eswatini | ASTI (cgiar.org) 

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.