PRESS RELEASE

Her Royal Highness Minister for Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Princess Sikhanyiso welcomed a high-powered delegation from The Republic of Estonia led by Member of Parliament Mr. Hannes Hanso who also serves as a member of the Advisory Committee to the President. Part of the discussion included inter-alia, a synopsis about how the Republic of Estonia has evolved in terms of ICTs more especially their e-government based facilities and projects.

HRH Princess Sikhanyiso applauded Estonia for having made gigantic steps towards the use of ICTs in their country more especially in the fields of education, health, justice and governance. She added that it was very encouraging for a small country like Estonia to have introduced Digital Projects in the world, especially in Africa stating that the Kingdom of Eswatini also stood a chance to benefit. The Hon. Her Royal Higness stated that the presence of other Cabinet Ministers in the meeting was a good indicator that they also need assistance in terms of e-Government facilities to help catapult the Kingdom of Eswatini towards His Majesty King Mswati III’s Vision 2022. The meeting was held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Conference room this morning at 11:00AM.

Her Royal Highness was with her counterparts: HRH Princess Lindiwe Minister for Home Affairs; Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Sen. Pholile Shakantu; Minister for Housing and Urban Development Prince Simelane; Minister for Public Service Hon. Christian Ntshangase and Minister for Labour Hon. Makhosi Vilakati. All Cabinet Ministers were also flanked by their Principal Secretaries who were led by the Secretary to Cabinet and Head of Public Service Mr. Mbuso Dlamini.

Also present were Her Excellency EsmeraldA H. Aragones, senior officials from other institutions such as SIPA and the Ministry of ICT management.

The Government of Estonia also extended an invitation to the Honourable Minister to a two-day Tallinn e-Governance Conference to be held mid-May this year.