The Kingdom of Eswatini and the United Arab Emirates have officially launched Africa’s first She Powers Africa Digital Academy.
This is a program designed to equip African women with digital skills and leadership capabilities. The virtual launch was held on Wednesday.
Eswatini will serve as the continental pilot before the program is expanded nationally and later rolled out across Africa. 
The initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Governments of Eswatini and the UAE during the 2025 United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The MoU was witnessed by His Majesty King Mswati III. It is said to be the first program of its kind between the UAE and an African nation.
The Academy will begin with 50 women from government and government-related institutions in Eswatini.
Training will be delivered by the UAE’s General Women’s Union in partnership with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, TDRA and the Digital Government Academy.
Her Excellency Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Secretary General of the General Women’s Union, said Eswatini was selected following engagements led by Minister of Information, Communications and Technology Senator Savannah Maziya.
“Before engaging with Honourable Minister Savannah Maziya, we did not have an intimate knowledge of Eswatini,” Al Suwaidi said.
“The Minister passionately shared her country’s vision for digital transformation, women’s empowerment and inclusive development.
Her presentation inspired confidence within our leadership and convinced us that Eswatini was the right country to become the pilot for this important initiative.”
Course areas include Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Software Development and IT Operations.
The objective is to equip women with skills to lead digital transformation within their organisations and communities.
Minister Maziya also serves as Chairperson of the Smart Africa SDG 5 Global Council.
She has led engagements with Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister Maziya said the launch ensures African women are equipped to lead the continent’s digital transformation.
“Today, Eswatini becomes the first African nation to launch the She Powers Africa Digital Academy,” she said.
The Minister said the initiative advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 on Gender Equality, by addressing barriers to education, technology, leadership and economic participation.
“For generations, women have faced barriers to education, technology, leadership and economic participation.
Through She Powers Africa, we are deliberately changing that narrative,” Maziya said.
She said the program aligns with the government’s Digital Eswatini Project, which seeks to strengthen digital public infrastructure under Vision 2030.
Maziya also referenced the Coders Eswatini partnership with the UAE, which targets 300 000 emaSwati with globally recognised digital skills. At least 50 per cent of beneficiaries are expected to be women.
“Connectivity creates opportunity, but skills unlock opportunity. That is why investing in people remains at the heart of our Digital Eswatini Agenda,” she said.
The Minister told the inaugural cohort of 50 women that they are starting a continental movement.
“You are the pioneers of a continental movement.
The knowledge and skills you acquire will not only transform your own lives but will inspire thousands of other women and girls across Africa to pursue careers in science, technology and innovation,” she said.
