By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Ministry of Information, Communications, and Technology (MICT) of the Kingdom of Eswatini has announced the signing of a major Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The historic event took place on September 12, 2024, at Emirates Towers, Dubai, and was said to be a pivotal moment in Eswatini’s journey towards a digitally transformed government.
According to a statement shared by the Ministry, this partnership is a significant milestone under the government’s flagship initiative,
“Government in Your Hand” (GIYH), which is aimed at making public services more accessible and efficient using cutting-edge digital technologies.
The Minister of Information, Communications, and Technology Savannah Maziya signed the agreement alongside Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Minister Al Olama expressed his excitement about the collaboration, noting the UAE’s journey over the past 50 years from being an importer of technology to becoming a global hub for tech innovation.
He emphasized the importance of equipping Eswatini’s workforce with the skills to create and sustain homegrown technological advancements.
“You must ensure that your people are the most productive, most agile, most skilled to create 10 times more technology,” Al Olama remarked.
He commended Eswatini’s approach, viewing the size of the nation as an advantage rather than a hindrance.
Minister Savannah Maziya reciprocated the sentiments and expressed her gratitude for the trust and confidence placed in Eswatini by the UAE.
“It is a great honour to have partners like the UAE who are focused on developing their country for their people and who understand that the future is now,” she said.
She assured that major developments in Eswatini’sdigital infrastructure would now commence, catalyzed by this cooperation.
Al Olama concluded the meeting by offering unwavering support for Eswatini’s digital transformation, stating, “Whatever Minister Savannah requires—consider it done.”
The UAE’s Ministry of State for Artificial Intelligence plays a key role in shaping policies and regulations to boost government performance through AI, driving economic competitiveness and enhancing the quality of life for its citizens.
The collaboration with Eswatini will facilitate the exchange of expertise and best practices, helping to accelerate the Kingdom’s own digital agenda.
Central to the partnership is the Eswatini Digital Transformation Strategy (2024–2028), which seeks to leverage advanced technologies like AI and data-driven insights to improve government services and decision-making.
The strategy aims to make public services more accessible and efficient while responding to the needs of the people.
Again, Abdullah Lootah, UAE’s Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange, emphasized the broader significance of the MoU, stating,
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“The new partnership with the Kingdom of Eswatini reflects the directions of the UAE government and the Government Experience Exchange Program (GEEP).
It will promote international partnerships, develop government experiences, and enhance the exchange of best practices, ultimately empowering Eswatini’s human resources and community members with key future tools.”
The statement further asserts that Eswatini’s digital transformation is set to benefit immensely from the UAE’s expertise in citizen-centric government services, smart technologies, and strategic foresight.
The MoU lays the foundation for major advancements in ICT that will improve the quality of life for the people of Eswatini while stimulating socio-economic growth.
Minister Maziya highlighted the long-term potential of this partnership for Eswatini’s ICT sector. “
The signing of this MoU is a pivotal step toward solidifying Eswatini’s position as a leading African hub for ICT investment, innovation, and STEM education,” she noted.
The collaboration aligns with Eswatini’s strategy to attract global partners in high-tech fields, including data centres, AI, robotics, and research, while also boosting the nation’s capacity for technological innovation and economic development.
Beyond the MoU, Minister Maziya represented Eswatini at the Dubai AI & Web3 Festival on September 11, 2024,
where she participated in a high-level panel discussion on Sovereign AI: How a National Constraint Can Be Turned into a Global Opportunity.
The event brought together global experts, entrepreneurs, and governments to explore the future of AI, Web3, and decentralized systems.
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The discussions highlighted how Eswatini, like other nations, can leverage AI to transform its economy and become a key player in the global digital landscape.
Furthermore, Minister Savannah Maziya extended heartfelt gratitude to the UAE government for its confidence in Eswatini’s ICT potential and for choosing Eswatini as a trusted partner.
She also acknowledged the visionary leadership of His Majesty King Mswati III, whose support and foresight have been instrumental in positioning Eswatini as a prime destination for ICT investment.
“This collaboration demonstrates the power of international cooperation in advancing technological progress and promoting innovation,” she said.