Mbabane – As Eswatini’s economy becomes increasingly digital, unreliable internet connectivity is emerging as a costly obstacle to business growth, with industry leaders warning that the financial impact of network disruptions far outweighs the savings offered by cheaper data packages.
This was the dominant message from a panel discussion on The Value of Connectivity held in Mbabane on Friday, where business executives, technology experts, entrepreneurs and digital creators argued that connectivity should no longer be viewed as a consumer expense but as critical infrastructure that underpins commerce, education and innovation.
Hosted by PR and Brand Network, the discussion challenged the long-held perception that consumers derive value from the cheapest data bundles. Instead, participants maintained that the true value of connectivity lies in its ability to keep businesses operating efficiently, minimise downtime and unlock new economic opportunities.
For businesses operating in the logistics sector, dependable connectivity has become indispensable.SS Tracking representative Bonginkhosi said fleet management had evolved significantly over the years, with businesses now relying on real-time information to monitor vehicles, protect assets and improve operational efficiency.
He explained that customers no longer wanted updates only after a problem had occurred but expected businesses to know what was happening at every stage of the journey.
“Our clients want to know where their vehicles and goods are at every moment, whether they are safe and whether there are any problems developing,” he said.
According to Bonginkhosi, modern tracking technology allows operators to identify mechanical faults before they develop into major breakdowns, reducing maintenance costs while improving road safety and customer confidence.
He noted that businesses increasingly depended on digital systems capable of generating instant alerts, enabling management to respond before minor issues escalated into expensive operational failures.
“Doing it right the first time saves money. Reliable connectivity reduces downtime, improves turnaround times and keeps businesses moving. Poor connectivity is expensive because every minute lost affects productivity,” he said.
The same principle applies in the renewable energy sector, where digital monitoring has transformed customer service.
Direct UPS Managing Director Behlule Dlomo said his company remotely monitored the performance of solar installations, allowing technicians to detect battery failures and system faults before customers experienced prolonged interruptions.
“Our solar systems are connected, allowing us to monitor battery health and system performance remotely. We can identify faults before customers even notice them, reducing downtime and improving service delivery,” he said.
Beyond technical support, Dlomo said reliable connectivity had fundamentally changed the way entrepreneurs conducted business by removing geographical barriers that once limited growth.
Whether communicating with clients, suppliers or employees, he said digital platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom had enabled businesses to operate seamlessly across different locations and time zones, creating opportunities that were previously beyond reach.
The discussion also highlighted how connectivity is creating new opportunities for Eswatini’s entrepreneurs to participate in the global economy.
Red Note Africa’s Khetsiwe Dlamini said advances in digital technology had effectively erased geographical limitations, allowing local businesses, professionals and creatives to engage with international audiences in real time.
“We are no longer limited by geography. An event taking place in Eswatini can immediately become a global conversation,” she said.
Drawing from her academic experience across three continents, Dlamini observed that dependable connectivity had made international collaboration, professional networking and access to knowledge easier than ever before.
She said the digital economy had created opportunities for emaSwati entrepreneurs to market their products and services globally while remaining firmly rooted in their local communities.
For young people, the discussion heard, reliable connectivity has become equally important in education and skills development.
UNESWA FM presenter and student Asakhona Dlamini said internet access was now central to academic research, virtual learning and the use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
She added that the broadcasting industry had also become increasingly dependent on stable connectivity, enabling journalists and presenters to benchmark international standards, conduct virtual interviews and participate in online meetings without interruption.
“In broadcasting, frozen video calls, buffering and interrupted meetings can mean missed opportunities. Connectivity must be quick, reliable and always available,” she said.
Meanwhile, digital content creator Bonkhe Tadam described connectivity as the foundation upon which the creator economy had been built.
She said social media had enabled thousands of young entrepreneurs to establish businesses, build personal brands and access markets that were previously inaccessible.
“It has allowed me to build my brand, grow my audience and connect with people beyond Eswatini. Everything happens instantly. At the click of a button, I can communicate, promote my work and inspire others,” she said.
Tadam encouraged aspiring creators to focus on authenticity, arguing that audiences were increasingly drawn to genuine storytelling rather than imitation.
Although the discussion centred on different industries, participants shared a common view that the COVID-19 pandemic permanently altered the way people work, study and conduct business.
The rapid adoption of remote working, online learning, digital payments and virtual collaboration exposed the growing dependence of both businesses and households on reliable internet services, transforming connectivity from a convenience into an economic necessity.
Participants further observed that extending quality connectivity to underserved and rural communities could significantly broaden economic participation by enabling small businesses to access e-commerce platforms, digital financial services and artificial intelligence-powered tools.
Such investments, they argued, would allow entrepreneurs operating outside urban centres to compete on equal footing with established businesses by reaching customers beyond their immediate geographical markets.
Overall, PR and Brand specialist Libe Mohale said the conversation demonstrated that the real cost of connectivity was not reflected in the price consumers paid for data, but in the opportunities lost whenever networks failed.
“The cost of cheap internet is actually higher than we may think,” Mohale said. He added that as Africa accelerates its digital transformation, investment in reliable, efficient connectivity would be critical to driving business growth, supporting innovation and enabling sustainable economic development.This version reads more like a newspaper feature on the business page
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