On 13 April 2026 the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCoM), acting under the Eswatini Communications Commission Act of 2013 and the Electronic Communications (Importation, Type Approval and Distribution of Equipment) Regulations of 2016, formally tightened supervision of electronic communications equipment in the country. From Monday 13 April 2026, all entities intending to import or use electronic communications equipment in Eswatini must hold a valid type approval certificate.

What has changed

Border inspection and system cooperation: to ensure the new rule is applied, ESCCoM will work with the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) to carry out inspection and verification procedures at all points of entry under the Customs and Excise Act of 1971. The revenue service will implement the requirement through its customs declaration management system, ASYCUDA World.

Public lookup and compliance support: ESCCoM maintains a publicly searchable database of approved equipment on its website (www.esccom.org.sz) under Mandate, then Type Approval, so that importers, distributors and the public can verify the compliance status of equipment.

Regulatory objective: ESCCoM said that strengthening these controls is intended to promote a safe digital environment, support high-quality communications services and protect consumers from harmful or counterfeit devices.

The notice was signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Eswatini Communications Commission and took effect immediately.