MBABANE – Regional regulators, tech experts and policymakers from across Southern Africa have gathered in the kingdom for a broadband workshop aimed at setting new connectivity targets for the region by the year 2030.
The SADC Broadband Development and Targets 2030 Workshop, officially opened yesterday by Minister of ICT Savannah Maziya, is being held in collaboration with the Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa (CRASA), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM).
Hosted in Mbabane, the multi-day workshop brings together regulators from SADC Member States alongside experts from global bodies such as the ITU and GSMA. The focus is on drafting practical broadband benchmarks that will drive universal, affordable and inclusive internet access across the region.
Participants are tackling themes such as digital inclusion, affordability, and the collection of meaningful data to guide broadband policy. Discussions also cover how to ensure every citizen — from rural learners to urban tech entrepreneurs — has access to digital tools that support growth and innovation.
“Broadband is the lifeblood of modern economies,” said Minister Maziya. “But meaningful deployment requires deliberate policy, sustained investment and data-driven action.”
Speaking on behalf of CRASA, Acting Executive Secretary Brian Mwansa said broadband held the power to transform lives by improving public services, healthcare, education, and overall quality of life.
ESCCOM Chief Executive Mvilawemphi Dlamini added that faster and more affordable internet access is directly linked to better productivity and innovation, stressing the need to roll out infrastructure at scale.
Tichafa Rixon Mujuru, Chairperson of the SADC Universal Access and Service Committee, said the initiative is not just about numbers but about real-world access for students, small businesses and digital startups alike.
Sessions over the coming days will include policy dialogues, capacity building, and data strategy development, with a focus on ensuring every SADC country contributes to — and benefits from — a more digitally connected future.
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