# Eswatini — payment codes and schemes

> Source: https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/SZ
> extracted at 2026-10-03
> Publisher: Barcoder — encyclopedia of QR, barcode and payment-code standards

## Summary

- **MTN MoMo** dominant mobile money
- **Cross-border SA** launched Dec 2024
- **Mastercard partnership** QR enablement
- **E25,000 wallet** limit (300% increase)
- **e-Mali** alternative mobile money

## Banking landscape

### Central Bank
- **Name:** Central Bank of Eswatini (CBE)
- **Website:** https://www.centralbank.org.sz/
- **Role:** Monetary policy, payment oversight

### Major Banks (2024)

| Rank | Bank Name | Type | Digital Platform |
|------|-----------|------|------------------|
| 1 | Standard Bank Eswatini | International | SB Mobile |
| 2 | First National Bank | International | FNB App |
| 3 | Nedbank Eswatini | International | Nedbank App |
| 4 | Eswatini Bank | Local | Eswatini Mobile |
| 5 | Swaziland Building Society | Local | SBS App |

### Market Structure
- **MTN MoMo:** Dominant mobile money
- **Regional banks:** SA-based presence
- **Dual currency:** SZL pegged to ZAR
- **Cross-border:** SA integration

---

## Payment infrastructure

### National Payment Systems

| System | Operator | Type | Status |
|--------|----------|------|--------|
| MTN MoMo | MTN | Mobile money | Dominant |
| e-Mali | Provider | Mobile money | Active |
| Bank Transfers | Banks | EFT | Active |

### MTN MoMo Eswatini
- Mobile money leader
- Cross-border SA (Dec 2024)
- Bank integrations
- Expanded wallet limits

### Bank Integration
- Swaziland Building Society
- Eswatini Bank
- Standard Bank
- FNB and Nedbank

---

## QR code standards

### MoMo QR (Mastercard Partnership)

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Partnership** | MTN + Mastercard (Feb 2024) |
| **Feature** | QR enablement |
| **Access** | 100M+ global locations |
| **Markets** | 13 African countries |

### Mastercard Features
- QR enablement for SMEs
- Tap on Phone solutions
- Digital card acceptance
- Virtual and physical cards

### MoMo Payment Features
- Pay merchants
- Bill payments
- Airtime purchase
- Data bundles
- Groceries

---

## Mobile payment apps

| App | Provider | QR | Features |
|-----|----------|-------|----------|
| MTN MoMo | MTN | Yes | Full wallet |
| e-Mali | Provider | Limited | Mobile money |

### MTN MoMo Features
- Send and receive money
- Pay bills
- Buy groceries
- Airtime and data
- Bank transfers

### Cross-Border (Dec 2024)
- South Africa to Eswatini
- Direct wallet transfers
- No paperwork
- No queues

### Wallet Limits
- Previous: E4,000
- Current: E25,000
- 300%+ increase
- Withdrawals and transfers

---

## Schemes

| Scheme | Type | Symbology | Adoption | Technical standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [MTN MoMo](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/SZ/mtn-momo) | Mobile money | QR | Dominant | [`mtn-momo`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/mtn-momo) |
| [Mastercard](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/SZ/mastercard) | Partnership | Global | 2024 | — |
| [e-Mali](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/SZ/e-mali) | Mobile money | USSD | Active | — |

## Sources

- [MTN Eswatini - MoMo](https://www.mtn.co.sz/momo/)
- [MTN Eswatini - MoMo Personal](https://www.mtn.co.sz/momo/momo-personal/)
- [MTN Eswatini - MoMo Transfer](https://www.mtn.co.sz/momo/momo-transfer/)
- [MTN Eswatini - Bank Transfers](https://www.mtn.co.sz/momo-bank-withdrawals/)
- [Mastercard - MTN Partnership](https://www.mastercard.com/news/eemea/en/newsroom/press-releases/en/2024/february/mastercard-and-mtn-group-fintech-partner-to-drive-acceleration-of-mobile-money-ecosystem-in-africa-across-13-markets/)
- [Africa Press - SA Cross-border](https://www.africa-press.net/eswatini/all-news/you-can-now-receive-money-from-sa-through-mtn-momo)
- [Temo Group - MoMo Charges](https://www.temogroup.net/2021/04/mtn-mobile-money-charges-swaziland-eswatini.html)
- [MTN Eswatini - Fees](https://www.mtn.co.sz/momo/momo-personal/fees/)

## Full country report

[SZ-eswatini.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/SZ)