Minister for Information, Communications and Technology, Senator Savannah Maziya has urged the Senate to support the ratification of three international legal instruments aimed at strengthening Eswatini’s cybersecurity framework, protecting personal data and improving disaster response through better telecommunications.
Minister Maziya made the presentation on Friday during the Senators’ Workshop on the Ratification of International Legal Instruments hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The three conventions presented were the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection, commonly known as the Malabo Convention, the Convention on Cybercrime, known as the Budapest Convention and the Tampere Convention on the Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations. 
Senator Maziya told the workshop that ratifying the Malabo Convention will help Eswatini build a secure and trusted digital environment.
She said the convention provides guidelines on cybersecurity, the protection of personal data, and the prevention of cybercrime.
It also promotes e-commerce and supports digital integration across Africa. According to the Minister, aligning national laws with the Malabo Convention will increase confidence among investors and enable local businesses to trade safely online.
She added that data protection is becoming critical as more government and private sector services move to digital platforms.
On the Budapest Convention, Maziya said the treaty will strengthen Eswatini’s capacity to prevent, investigate and prosecute cybercrime.
She noted that cyber threats are increasing and often cross national borders, making international cooperation necessary.
The convention provides a legal framework for countries to work together and also gives law enforcement agencies access to procedures and tools needed to address modern cybercrime.
The minister stated that joining the Budapest Convention will improve collaboration with international partners and enhance the ability of local authorities to respond to online crime.
She further said the convention will support efforts to protect children and other vulnerable groups who are often targeted online.
The minister also presented the Tampere Convention, which focuses on the use of telecommunication resources during disasters and emergencies.
She said the agreement will make it easier to deploy communication equipment quickly when disasters occur and will improve coordination with international relief agencies.
Maziya noted that Eswatini faces floods, droughts and other emergencies that disrupt communication at critical times.
Ratifying the Tampere Convention, she said, will improve the country’s preparedness and enable faster response, thereby saving lives and reducing damage.
Minister Maziya further said the ratification of the three instruments will position the Kingdom of Eswatini as an investment-friendly country that prioritises cybersecurity, data protection and disaster resilience.
She stated that the move reinforces the government’s commitment to building a secure, resilient and digitally enabled nation while strengthening cooperation with regional and global partners.
