Central Bank of Eswatini launches Global Money Week primary schools budgeting competition with prizes up to SZL 4,500

The Central Bank of Eswatini has opened its 2025 Global Money Week competition for primary school learners aged 5 to 12, built around the theme “Think before you follow, wise money tomorrow”. The challenge asks participants to imagine managing a household for a week on SZL 500 and to produce a weekly budget that demonstrates practical money management. Entries must set out essential expenses, allocate daily amounts, and track spending, including decisions that prioritise needs over wants, identify ways to save money, and address unexpected costs. Submissions can be a 600-word write-up (typed or handwritten) or a short video explaining and justifying the budget; work must be original and completed by the student. Prizes are SZL 4,500 (first), SZL 3,000 (second) and SZL 1,500 (third), with prize money to be deposited into the student’s unit trust, and judging will consider realism, prioritisation, creativity and communication. The submission deadline is 13 March 2025, with entries accepted via email or physical drop-off at Manzini, Siteki, Nhlangano, Big Bend and Piggs Peak libraries, or the Central Bank of Eswatini head office in Mbabane. Children whose parents or guardians work for the Central Bank of Eswatini, the Centre for Financial Inclusion, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority, the National Cooperatives Federation of Eswatini, ENACTUS or JA are not eligible to participate.