By Phiwa Sikhondze
The Kingdom of Eswatini has taken a significant step towards becoming a global leader in the digital economy with the launch of a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) and Google
Themed “Innovating Together: Strategic Partnerships for Eswatini’s Digital Transformation and Economic Prosperity,” this collaboration is set to redefine the nation’s technological and economic landscape.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone for the Kingdom, focusing on leveraging Google’s cutting-edge technologies to advance Eswatini’s ambitious “Government in Your Hand” initiative. Through this partnership, the Ministry of ICT aims to empower the youth with essential digital skills, enhance public service delivery through advanced technology, and promote entrepreneurship and innovation across the country.
The Minister of ICT, Savanah Maziya, expressing her enthusiasm during the launch, emphasized the importance of this initiative for Eswatini’s future. “This partnership is a step towards positioning Eswatini as a leader in the digital economy, unlocking opportunities for our people, especially the youth. With 70% of our population being the youth, this initiative lays the foundation for creating jobs, fostering entrepreneurship, and accelerating sustainable economic development,” she said.
The “Government in Your Hand” project is a transformative effort to bring public services closer to citizens through digitization. Minister Maziya highlighted the challenges she observed firsthand in accessing government services when she took office a year ago. These experiences shaped her vision for ensuring that all citizens, regardless of location, can access services quickly, securely, and with dignity.
“Our goal is to make government visible and accessible. Imagine a world where citizens are notified about expiring passports, can apply from the comfort of their homes, and have the document delivered to their doorstep. This is not just convenience; it’s empowerment,” Maziya stated.
The collaboration with Google will introduce digital solutions for areas without traditional street addresses, revolutionizing how citizens interact with services and paving the way for an integrated digital ecosystem.
Basil Ayass, Leader for Africa at Google Cloud, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing simplicity and accessibility. “The idea is that when we download that Ministry of ICT application or visit the e-services portal, it should be as seamless and as simple to use as Google technologies. That is the level of simplicity we aim to bring to e-government services,” Ayass explained. He added that the collaboration will also include AI-powered solutions to enhance efficiency and productivity, stating, “We’re going to work on the digital modernization of e-government services for the citizens and residents of Eswatini. Then, we’ll introduce AI to help become more efficient. And third, we’re going to start with productivity and collaboration using Google Workspace for public servants to connect, create, and collaborate together.”
Maziya highlighted the importance of equipping the country’s youth for a digital future, particularly given the rapid pace of technological change.
“With 50% of today’s jobs likely to change or disappear, we must ensure our youth are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow,” she said.
Through Google’s technology and training platforms, Eswatini’s youth will gain the skills to thrive in the global digital economy. This includes opportunities to work with government, launch innovative startups, and secure future-focused employment.
Ayass emphasized Google’s commitment to human capital development as a cornerstone of the partnership. “We’ll collaborate with the government to run educational programs at schools, universities, and within the private and public sectors. This includes digital skills academies, certification in technologies like machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data analytics, and fostering research and innovation,” he explained.
By empowering EmaSwati with these skills, the partnership ensures that the next generation is ready to excel in the evolving global digital economy, with opportunities ranging from launching innovative startups to securing employment in cutting-edge industries.
The partnership makes Eswatini the first African country to work with Google on integrating cloud-based workplaces in government. Minister Maziya described this as a step towards making Eswatini a “country of firsts” in Africa’s digital transformation.
“We are a small country with big ambitions,” she said. “Good things come in small packages, and Eswatini is ready to show the world how digitization can transform economies, create jobs, and inspire innovation. Our vision is clear: we will lead, not follow.”
Ayass commended Eswatini’s leadership for its bold vision and commitment to change. “At Google, our mission is to make the world’s information accessible and useful. This partnership aligns perfectly with that mission, bringing simplicity and efficiency to public services,” Ayass said.
He praised the Kingdom’s hospitality and reiterated Google’s commitment to supporting Eswatini’s digital journey. Ayass also highlighted how Google’s technologies, including blockchain, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, will enhance the delivery and adoption of government services. Ayass further expressed optimism about the future of Eswatini’s digital journey, calling the possibilities “endless.” He concluded by stating, “This partnership aligns perfectly with Google’s mission to make the world’s information accessible and useful. Together, we will transform how public services are delivered and how citizens interact with technology, creating a future where innovation benefits everyone.”