Swazi Lilangeni flag

Swazi Lilangeni

Lilangeni

Currency Code

SZL

ISO 748

Symbol

SZL

Native: E

Decimal Digits

2

Rounding: 0

Countries

SZ

Using this currency

Currency Units

Major Unit

Name: lilangeni

Symbol: E

Minor Unit

Name: cent

Symbol: c

Value: 0.01

Banknotes

Frequently Used

E10E20E50E100E200

Coins

Frequently Used

10c20c50cE1E2E5

Rarely Used

1c2c5c

Plural Forms

English Plural

Swazi emalangeni

Native Plural

Emalangeni

Overview

The Swazi Lilangeni is the currency of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), managed by the Central Bank of Eswatini. It is pegged to the South African rand and both currencies circulate in the country.

Economy

  • Eswatini (Swaziland) is a member of SADC, AU, Commonwealth, SACU.
  • Main industries include: Mining, Wood pulp, Sugar, Soft drink concentrates, Textiles, Clothing.
  • Eswatini (Swaziland) is part of the World Trade Organization.
  • Imports are motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals.
  • Major exports include soft drink concentrates, sugar, timber, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus, canned fruit.
  • GDP: $4.7 billion (2023 est.).
  • GDP per capita: $3,952 (2023 est.).
  • Unemployment rate: 23% (2017 est.).
  • Inflation rate: 4.8% (2023 est.).
  • Main trading partners: South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, India.
  • Trade agreements: SADC Trade Protocol, SACU agreements, EPA with EU.

History

  • Previous currencies used: South African rand (continues to circulate), British pound.
  • The lilangeni was introduced in 1974, replacing the South African rand as the official currency, though the rand continues to circulate alongside it.
  • 1974: SZL introduced alongside continued rand circulation
  • 1986: Central Monetary Authority established
  • 2006: Renamed to Central Bank of Swaziland
  • 2018: Country renamed from Swaziland to Eswatini
  • 2020: COVID-19 economic impact
  • Exchange rate peg: ZAR (1974-present) at 1:1 parity.
  • Currently pegged to ZAR at 1 SZL = 1 ZAR.

General Information

  • ISO 4217 Code: SZL
  • Symbols: SZL/L
  • Currency Subunits: 100 cents
  • Central Bank: Central Bank of Eswatini
  • Monetary Policy: Currency board system maintaining ZAR parity. Monetary policy follows South African Reserve Bank decisions.
  • Bills: 10 SZL, 20 SZL, 50 SZL, 100 SZL, 200 SZL
  • Coins: 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, 1 lilangeni, 2 emalangeni, 5 emalangeni
  • USD Exchange Rate: Variable (follows ZAR rate, approximately 18.5 SZL per USD)
  • Pegged To: ZAR at 1 SZL = 1 ZAR
  • Capital: Mbabane (administrative), Lobamba (legislative)
  • Population: 1,201,670 (2023 est.)
  • Area: 17,364 km²
  • Languages: English (official), siSwati (official)
  • Time Zones: UTC+2 (South Africa Standard Time)
  • Government Type: Absolute monarchy
  • Head of Government: King (head of state), Prime Minister (head of government)
  • Independence: September 6, 1968 (from United Kingdom)
  • Ethnic Groups: African 97%, European 3%
  • Religions: Christian 90% (Zionist 40%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 2%, Other 30%), Other 8%
  • Literacy Rate: 88.4% (2015 est.)
  • Transport: King Mswati III International Airport, good road network, railway connections to South Africa
  • Communications: Good telecommunications, 54% internet penetration, wide mobile coverage
  • Energy: Hydroelectric 60%, Coal 25%, Biomass 15%
  • Countries Using This Currency: Eswatini (Swaziland)
  • Data Sources: Central Bank: Central Bank of Eswatini (centralbank.org.sz), Economic Data: Central Statistical Office Eswatini, World Bank, IMF, Trade Data: Eswatini Revenue Service, Demographic Data: Central Statistical Office Eswatini, Geographic Data: Eswatini Meteorological Service, Historical Data: Central Bank of Eswatini archives
  • Last Updated: 2025