The Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) has asked for an average electricity tariff increase of 18.38% for the 2027/28 financial year. The request comes as people in Eswatini already pay much more for fuel.
The power utility also wants a further increase of 14.68% for the 2028/29 financial year. The details are in a consultation paper published by the Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA) in November 2026.
If the regulator approves the request, the first increase would start on 1 April 2027. The second would follow on 1 April 2028.
The EEC said the proposed increases were partly caused by the cost of buying electricity. According to the utility, these purchases make up about 61% of the money it needs to run.
The application also asks to recover older costs. It covers spending on keeping the electricity network running and making it better.
ESERA is reviewing the request. The regulator is expected to announce its decision by 1 February 2027.
The new request follows an average tariff increase of 11.74% that started in April 2026. The regulator first approved a bigger increase of 13.61%, but the government stepped in and the figure was cut.
Fuel prices in the country went up sharply on 1 October 2026. Petrol rose by E3.43 (R3.43) per litre.
Unleaded petrol 95 went from E25.97 to E29.40 per litre. Diesel rose by E3.40, from E28.85 to E32.25 per litre.
Illuminating paraffin also became more expensive. It went from E21.73 to E25.16 per litre.
The Ministry of Economic Planning and Development said local fuel prices had gone up by 51.2% since April 2026, the Times of Eswatini reported.
The ministry warned that higher fuel costs were pushing up production costs for businesses. It said this was making the country’s exports less competitive.
The ministry also said the rising fuel bill was putting pressure on how much households could afford to buy.
According to The South African, people in Eswatini are already dealing with higher costs for transport and basic goods. The publication reported that more expensive fuel can raise the cost of moving goods, which may affect food prices.
The publication also reported that businesses that use a lot of electricity could face higher running costs if the new tariffs are approved. For households, dearer fuel and power together could leave less money for other needs, it said.
ESERA’s decision on the two proposed tariff increases is due by 1 February 2027.
Source: this article is based on reporting by The South African. Image: The South African. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Technology desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Werner Jacobs covers technology for Tzaneen Voice. Werner reports on mobile networks, data prices, internet access, smartphones, apps, AI, cybersecurity and South African tech companies. Each story explains what a new product, price change or policy means for ordinary users in South Africa.