MBABANE – Eswatini’s growing reputation as a leader in digital transformation received continental recognition last week.
This happened when the Minister for Information, Communication and Technology Savannah Maziya represented the kingdom at the inaugural Google Coud Summit Africa 2026, where she showcased the country’s efforts to build a citizen-centred digital public service.
Held in Johannesburg under the theme ‘Google Cloud is Building for Africa,’ the summit brought together global technology executives, African heads of government, policymakers, regulators, investors and digital infrastructure leaders to explore how artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and digital public infrastructure can accelerate the continent’s development.
Eswatini’s participation was further elevated when South African President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged Minister Maziya during his opening address, a gesture that reflected the kingdom’s growing prominence in Africa’s digital transformation agenda.
As part of the summit’s exclusive Leaders Connect Programme, Maziya joined senior government representatives from Rwanda and Ethiopia in a high-level panel discussion titled ‘A New Era of Digital Government: The Multi-Modal State – Erasing the Literacy Divide with Voice, Video and AI-Driven Digital Public Infrastructure.’
During the discussion, the minister highlighted Eswatini’s digital project and the flagship ‘Government in Your Hand’ initiative, describing them as key pillars of the country’s drive to make government services more accessible, efficient and inclusive.
She said the future of public service delivery should be measured not by the number of government offices citizens are able to visit, but by how easily they can access services through digital platforms.
“The future of government is not measured by how many offices citizens can visit, but by how many services they can access at any time, anywhere. Digital transformation is about putting people first and truly placing Government in Your Hand,” Maziya said.
The minister explained that Eswatini is working towards building a government that is digital by design, where emaSwati could conveniently access essential public services using secure, user-friendly platforms.
She noted that future public service delivery must prioritise citizens rather than requiring them to navigate complex government systems. According to Maziya, technology should simplify interactions with government while ensuring that no one is excluded from accessing essential services.
She also emphasised the importance of adopting artificial intelligence responsibly to improve efficiency across government institutions while maintaining public trust and ensuring that technological advancement benefits all citizens. Another key priority, she said, is expanding Digital Public Infrastructure to improve access to government services, particularly for people living in rural and underserved communities where physical access to government offices may be limited.
Maziya further stressed the need to develop digital platforms that incorporate voice technology and local languages, arguing that innovation should narrow the digital divide rather than deepen it.
Her presentation positioned Eswatini among African countries actively pursuing inclusive digital transformation and demonstrated how emerging technologies can be harnessed to improve service delivery while promoting social inclusion.
The summit also provided opportunities for the kingdom to engage with global technology companies and digital innovation leaders on the future of artificial intelligence, cloud computing and digital government.
Through bilateral engagements and discussions with industry stakeholders, Eswatini explored opportunities for collaboration aimed at strengthening the country’s digital ecosystem and accelerating implementation of its national digital transformation agenda.
Government officials said participation in the summit reflects Eswatini’s continued commitment to modernising public administration and leveraging technology to improve the lives of emaSwati.
The digital Eswatini project, which has driven many of the country’s recent digital initiatives, seeks to expand connectivity, strengthen digital skills and improve the delivery of public services through technology. The Government in Your Hand initiative forms part of this broader vision by enabling citizens to access a growing range of government services digitally without the need for physical visits to government offices.
The inaugural Google Cloud Summit Africa highlighted the increasing role of cloud technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping Africa’s economic future.
Discussions focused on building resilient digital infrastructure, fostering innovation, improving cyber security and ensuring that digital transformation remains inclusive across the continent.
As African governments accelerate efforts to embrace artificial intelligence and digital public infrastructure, Eswatini is positioning itself as an active contributor to the continent’s digital future. Its participation at the summit demonstrated that, despite its size, the kingdom is determined to help shape discussions on how technology can improve governance, expand access to services and create more inclusive opportunities for citizens.
With digital transformation increasingly becoming central to economic growth and effective governance across Africa, Eswatini’s presence at one of the continent’s premier technology gatherings signals its ambition to remain at the forefront of innovation and people-centred digital development.
– The Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Senator Pholile Shakantu, has commended the Government of Italy for the completion and handover of projects worth more than E109 million.
The minister described the investment as another milestone in the growing partnership between the two countries. Senator Shakantu made the remarks during bilateral talks with the Italian Ambassador to Eswatini, Gabriele Annis on Friday.
She thanked the ambassador for the completion and handover of projects funded by the Italian Government, valued at over E109 million.
The minister noted that Eswatini and Italy signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in 2017 to strengthen cooperation in climate change, environmental management and energy development. She further noted that the MoU was renewed in 2025, paving the way for continued collaboration between the two countries.
Under the framework of the agreement, two major projects have now been completed.
These include the greening of the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital, which now runs on approximately 98 per cent solar photovoltaic (PV) energy, and the Strengthening of Early Warning Systems and Climate Services at the Meteorological and Water Affairs Departments.
Both projects were officially handed over to their respective beneficiaries on Friday.
The handover ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister (PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini, represented by the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Thulisile Dladla, Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Jane Simelane; Cabinet ministers, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) representative; senior government officials and management of the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital.
The projects were funded by the Italian Government and implemented with technical support from the UNDP.
They also reflected close collaboration among the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, and the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation further highlighted that relations between Eswatini and Italy continue to be sustained through multilateral channels in Rome, where Italy hosts the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
According to the ministry, the shared presence in Rome strengthens cooperation beyond the bilateral track and supports joint initiatives in development, food security and climate resilience.
The Minister for Information, Communication and Technology, Savannah Maziya was part of a pannel. (Pics: Courtesy pics)