According to Swazi law and custom, the monarch holds supreme administrator, legislative, and judicial powers. In general practice, the monarch's power is delegated through a dualistic system: modern, statutory bodies, like the cabinet, and less formal orthodox government structures. At present, parliament consists of a 65-seat House of Assembly (55 members are elected through popular vote; 10 are appointed by the king) and 30-seat Senate (10 members are appointed by the House of Assembly, and 20 are appointed by the king). The king must approve legislation passed by parliament before it becomes law. The prime minister, who is head of government, and the cabinet, which is recommended by the prime minister and approved by the king, exercises administrator authority.

For local administration Swaziland is separated into four regions, each with an administrator appointed by the king. Parallel to the government structure is the orthodox system consisting of the king and his advisers, orthodox courts, and 55 Tinkhundla (subregional districts in which orthodox chiefs are grouped).

Swaziland is a member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) which the U.S. began negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with in May 2003. The other members of SACU are Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and South Africa.