Digital Eswatini-Project Implementation
GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF ESWATINI
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY
Ministry of Information, Communications, and Technology Renews MoU with U.S. Embassy to Advance Information Access, Innovation, and Digital Inclusion – American Spaces
The Ministry of Information, Communications, and Technology (ICT) of the Kingdom of Eswatini has proudly officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Embassy of the United States to strengthen and expand the American Corners initiative within Eswatini. This partnership reaffirms a shared commitment to empower emaSwati through enhanced access to information, promotion of youth engagement, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and the stimulation of cultural and educational exchanges.
Delivering his remarks at the signing ceremony, Principal Secretary, Phesheya Dube stated: “It is key to highlight that, this cooperation aligns perfectly with the Ministry of ICT’s Digital Transformation Agenda, "Government in Your Hand" initiative, which aims to ensure emaSwati can access information and services anytime, anywhere. These centres enhance digital literacy, contributing to bridging the digital divide, promoting a more informed and inclusive society.’’
The American Corners established over the past 20 years in collaboration with Eswatini National Library Services situated in the Manzini and Mbabane National Libraries, have made significant impact and have become transformative hubs of knowledge, innovation, and personal development.
The partnership between the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology continues to benefit emaSwati, particularly the youth. American Spaces have become vibrant hubs for youth engagement, this is evident in the rise in visits from 21,556 to 33,902 visits in 2024. It is focused on developing the next generation of leaders, providing mentorship opportunities, entrepreneurship workshops, digital literacy and skills development, creativity and innovation, empowering young people to adapt to the latest trends and thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape and contribute to the economic development of the country.
‘’This Memorandum of Understanding reaffirms the U.S. Mission’s dedication to impactful engagement and programs through our American Spaces. It symbolizes our commitment to building bridges between the United States and Eswatini, particularly for the youth of this nation’’- Charge d’Affaires, Caitlin Piper, representing the U.S. Embassy, remarked.
The Ministry of ICT expresses its heartfelt gratitude to the U.S. Embassy for their steadfast support and looks forward to continued collaboration in uplifting young people to lead, innovate and inspire change within their communities.
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GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF ESWATINI
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY
PRESS STATEMENT
MINISTER FOR ICT ANNOUNCES DIGITAL TRAINING FOR 50 EDUCATORS THROUGH THE DIGITAL EDUCATOR GLOBAL ACADEMY
The Ministry of Information, Communications, and Technology (ICT), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training, announces a transformative opportunity for 50 educators from across Eswatini who will receive specialised training in digital education, marking a significant achievement towards Government’s commitment to equitable, tech-driven education. This digital training initiative is sponsored by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Government under the Digital Educator Global Academy (DEGA) Program.
These educators have been selected through a rigorous and inclusive process, representing a diverse array of backgrounds, including rural school teachers, young talents, high-performing educators, and differently-abled teachers. This selection reflects the dedication of the Eswatini Government to an inclusive, innovative, and progressive educational landscape.
Highlighting the significance of the programme, Minister of ICT Hon. Savannah Maziya emphasized that, “This digital education initiative is aligned with our national 'Government in Your Hand' programme, committing ourselves to building a robust digital foundation for all, ensuring that, in every classroom across our kingdom, technology is used as a tool to promote equality and bridge educational gaps.”
The DEGA Program, accredited by Arizona State University, offers Eswatini’s educators access to cutting-edge educational technologies, artificial intelligence tools, and advanced e-learning methodologies. This training aligns closely with the Ministry of ICT’s digitalisation agenda 'Government in Your Hand' (GIYH) initiative, designed to bridge the digital divide and enhance educational access across all communities.
Minister of Education Hon. Owen Nxumalo further commended the programme, stating, “His Majesty is passionate about digital education, and has implored the Ministry of Education to ensure that schools have access to computer labs and internet connectivity. I urge the educators who are recipients of this digital training programme to show utmost dedication in the programme training, so that it can be expanded to benefit other educators in the country.”
The digital education training commences on 01 December, 2024, and concludes on 31 January, 2025. The UAE-hosted training will empower educators from 20 High Schools and 30 Primary schools to become digital champions within their communities. This programme stands to foster digital inclusivity and innovation in education in Eswatini.
The Ministry of ICT extends its heartfelt gratitude to the UAE for this generous support and partnership. We further pledge to collaborate with all Ministries towards building an inclusive and digitally enriched future for the Kingdoms of Eswatini.
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GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF ESWATINI
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY
ESWATINI LAUNCHES THE DIGITAL READINESS ASSESSMENT REPORT 2024, PAVING THE WAY FOR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
The Ministry of Information, Communications, and Technology (ICT) has launched the Eswatini Digital Readiness Assessment Report 2024, a foundational document that charts Eswatini’s path towards comprehensive digital transformation, aligned with national development priorities. Developed in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), this report provides a detailed overview of the country’s current digital infrastructure, accessibility, and digital literacy, forming a roadmap for the country's Eswatini Digitalization Strategy (2024–2028), named “Governemnt in Your Hand“ programme.
The Honourable Minister of ICT, addressing the attendees, highlighted the significance of the report towards the country’s digital transformation agenda. ‘The findings in this report are key to the successful realisation of the Eswatini Government Digital Strategy, as they provide fundamental insights into the digital public infrastructure foundational elements that need to be strengthened as we pave the way for integrated digital services.” The insights from this assessment will help craft policies and frameworks that support our national digital transformation agenda. It is encouraging that the findings of this DRA are aligned with the Government in Your Hand Strategy.’
The report, supported by the UNDP Digital Office, assessed essential digital infrastructure gaps, such as connectivity and public digital infrastructure, accessibility of public services digitally, affordability, digital literacy and strengthened digital ecosystem. It also emphasises the importance of robust regulatory frameworks to ensure secure digital transactions and foster a trustworthy digital environment.
With the support of UNDP, Eswatini is making steady progress towards enhancing its digital readiness and ecosystem. Recently, Eswatini participated in the Global Digital Public Infrastructure Summit in Egypt, hosting a GovStack introductory training for developers, solution architects and business analysts across government and the private sector. Further, a comprehensive GovStack training session is scheduled to commence on 25 November, empowering Government and private sector teams to build and deploy digital services aligned with international best practices.
UNDP Eswatini Resident Representative, present at the launch, emphasised the significance of this collaboration. “UNDP is committed to supporting Eswatini’s digital ambitions. The Digital Readiness Assessment Report is more than an evaluation; it is a blueprint for action that outlines how Eswatini can leverage digitalization for sustainable development and inclusive growth. Our shared goal is to ensure that no one is left behind in this digital journey, and UNDP is honored to support the Government of Eswatini through technical and strategic partnerships. We look forward to working closely with the Ministry and local stakeholders to build capacity and bring this digital vision to life.”
The Ministry extends its gratitude to UNDP Eswatini, the Eswatini Economic Policy Analysis and Research Centre (ESERPARC), and all partners involved in shaping the report. The dedication shown highlights the shared vision for a digitally inclusive Eswatini, one that harnesses technology to enhance public services, bridge the digital divide, and boost economic growth.
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Ministry of Information, Communications, and Technology
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