Manzini – The Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) has committed to advancing Eswatini’s national development through Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), with a focus on research, cybersecurity, and digital skills to drive the country’s digital transformation.
During a recent stakeholder engagement session, Principal Secretary Andreas Dlamini highlighted that innovation must be rooted in comprehensive research and scientific discovery. To this end, the Ministry plans to establish a National Research Council, which will be responsible for coordinating research, offering funding opportunities, and guiding the development of technologies that can be commercialised to address national challenges.
Dlamini noted that the Council will play a vital role in positioning Eswatini as a key player in the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions (4IR and 5IR). The goal is to foster innovative solutions that can drive the country’s economic and technological growth.
With digital adoption increasing, the country is facing growing cybersecurity challenges. Dlamini pointed out that every new digital service and data transaction creates potential vulnerabilities, which need to be addressed. Eswatini has responded by strengthening its legal frameworks, including the enactment of the Computer Crime and Cybercrime Act (2022) and the Data Protection Act (2022), both designed to safeguard citizens’ privacy, national security, and digital infrastructure.
The Ministry also acknowledged the evolving technological landscape, calling for progressive policies in data governance and digital trade. As 4IR technologies generate vast amounts of data, it emphasised the importance of national data sovereignty, ethical data collection, and responsible management of Big Data. Furthermore, the Ministry advocated for fair and inclusive e-commerce regulations to protect small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and ensure equitable taxation in cross-border digital trade.
Dlamini concluded by stressing that human capital development is key to success, with digital skills being crucial in bridging the digital divide and preparing Eswatini’s workforce for the future.
The Ministry expressed gratitude to the Eswatini Economic Policy Analysis and Research Centre (ESEPARC) for providing technical support in developing evidence-based policies tailored to the country’s specific needs.
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