Eswatini ICT Minister calls for urgent investment in digital skills at AI-focused workshop

By:  Robert Kwaku Annor

The Minister of Information, Communications and Technology, Hon. Savannah Maziya, has underscored the critical importance of digital skills development as Eswatini positions itself for growth in the age of artificial intelligence.

The Minister delivered the remarks at The Access Code – Umcebo Wakusasa Workshop, held with the support of the Royal Science and Technology Park and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Eswatini, in collaboration with the Innovators Association of Eswatini

Addressing participants, Hon. Maziya highlighted the strategic opportunity AI presents for African countries, stressing that failure to build relevant digital capabilities could marginalise nations in the global digital economy. She described the current moment as pivotal for Eswatini, noting that sustained national progress depends on collective investment in skills development and innovation.

The Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to empowering emaSwati through targeted digital initiatives, including Coders Eswatini, which aims to equip citizens with practical and future-ready technology skills. She encouraged individuals, particularly young people, to take advantage of available programmes and invest in competencies that will secure Eswatini’s digital future.

The workshop brought together stakeholders from government, innovation ecosystems and development partners to explore pathways for strengthening digital skills, fostering innovation and preparing Eswatini for participation in an AI-driven economy.