Winning international awards has become synonymous with CBE. The Bank has won the 2025 Global Banking & Markets Africa Award for High Yield Debt Deal of the Year for listing the R4 billion Government of Eswatini Bond in the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The award recognizes the most innovative and ground-breaking deals from Sovereign, Corporate, and Financial Institution issuers and borrowers.

Director Financial Markets, Dr. Melvin Khomo, received the award on behalf of the Bank at Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town on March 26, 2025. Dr. Khomo said it was a great honour for the Bank to receive both the award and international recognition. “I would like to extend my gratitude to the team, which worked tirelessly to make this transaction possible, along with the support from the Governor and the Minister of Finance. This was not an easy one, as it was our maiden bond issuance in the international markets. We remain committed to exploring innovative methods for raising funding for the government while enhancing the global profile of the Kingdom of Eswatini.”

Eswatini Government, through the CBE, last year listed a bond of R4 billion in the JSE under what is known as the ‘Protea Bond’ segment. This listing provides a unique offering that describes South African-denominated bond issuances by foreign governments on the JSE. Already, Eswatini is reaping the benefits of its listing, following the issuance of the first R400 million bond under the programme.