By Ncaba Ntshakala
Business Eswatini (BE) has extended its congratulations to the Minister of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Savannah Maziya following the successful launch of a strategic partnership between the ministry and tech giant Google.
In a letter addressed to the minister, Business Eswatini CEO E. Nathi Dlamini hailed the collaboration as a “landmark achievement” that will significantly advance the country’s Digital Transformation Agenda under the “Government in Your Hand (GIYH)” programme.
Dlamini emphasized that the initiative is a testament to the ministry’s “visionary leadership and continued commitment to transforming public service delivery through digital innovation.”
He noted that the partnership is poised to create far-reaching impacts across various sectors of Eswatini’s economy and society.
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“This is a seminal development that addresses the urgent need for advanced ICT skills, which are critical for enhancing our national competitive advantage in the context of the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions,” he stated.
The Business Eswatini CEO stressed that modern technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and robotics are no longer optional but are now essential pillars for the country’s economic growth.
He further pointed out the necessity for Eswatini to stay ahead of the ICT curve to remain competitive on the global stage and to meet the demands of emerging industrial and technological landscapes.
“Failure to do so could compromise our ability to remain relevant and competitive, while also limiting our capacity to create the jobs required for the future,” he warned.
Dlamini also commended Minister Maziya for her remarks at the partnership launch event, where she highlighted the urgency of innovation and the need to leverage ICT as a driver of economic growth and employment creation.
Business Eswatini, he assured, fully supports this vision and is committed to collaborating with the ministry to ensure that the partnership’s benefits extend to all sectors of the economy.
Recently, the Minister of ICT Savannah Maziya launched a collaboration with Google, themed “Innovating Together: Strategic Partnerships for Eswatini’s Digital Transformation and Economic Prosperity.”
It was said that this partnership explores opportunities to leverage Google’s innovative tools for advancing Eswatini’s Government in Your Hand initiative.
The partnership aims to empower the youth with digital skills, enhance public service delivery through advanced technology and promote entrepreneurship and innovation.
The Minister during the launch remarked, “This partnership is a step towards positioning Eswatini as a leader in the digital economy, unlocking opportunities for our people, especially the youth.”
Maziya added that such collaboration symbolises a shared vision of leveraging innovation to transform Eswatini into a digital hub that competes globally.
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“With 70% of our population being youth, this initiative lays the foundation for creating jobs, fostering entrepreneurship, and accelerating sustainable economic development,” she said.
In his closing remarks, Dlamini, on behalf of the Business Eswatini Board of Directors led by Mvuselelo Fakudze, commended the minister’s leadership in reaching this milestone.
He emphasized the private sector’s readiness to work alongside the ministry to help propel Eswatini towards a prosperous digital future.
“We stand ready to collaborate to ensure that this partnership not only permeates every sector of our economy but also propels Eswatini toward a prosperous digital future,” he concluded.
