Mbabane – Cyber-related losses in Eswatini have exceeded E15.9 million in one year, with mobile money fraud, phishing, identity theft, online scams and fraudulent banking transactions among the crimes contributing to the losses.
Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) Acting Chief Executive Ozzie Thakatha disclosed the figure, when he called for stronger collaboration among government, law enforcement, the private sector, regulators, educators and citizens to combat the growing threat of cybercrime.
Thakatha was sspeaking on October 1,2026 at the launch of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2026 at Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini, held under the theme “Tivikele, Stay Safe Online”.
He said cybercrime was no longer a distant risk, but a reality that was already affecting the country and carrying significant financial costs.
“National statistics show cyber-related losses exceeding E15.9 million in one year,” Thakatha said.
He said the losses included those arising from mobile money fraud, phishing, identity theft, online scams, fraudulent banking transactions, system intrusions and other cyber-enabled crimes.
Thakatha said the impact of cybercrime went beyond financial losses, as it also included cyberbullying, harassment, online child exploitation, misinformation and grooming.
He said these threats placed children and young people at particular risk, making the involvement of the Ministry of Education and Training important in developing responsible digital citizens.
“Schools are on the frontline of shaping responsible digital citizens,” he said.
Thakatha said no single institution could combat cybercrime alone, calling for coordinated action between government, law enforcement, the private sector, regulators, educators and citizens.
“Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility,” he said.
He said the launch of the awareness month was therefore intended to strengthen cooperation and equip citizens with the knowledge and skills needed to protect themselves in the digital environment.
Since the enactment of the Computer Crime and Cybercrime Act of 2022, Thakatha said ESCCOM, in its role as the National Cybersecurity Agency, had coordinated several national cybersecurity initiatives.
These included cybersecurity awareness programmes, capacity-building for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, investigators and the judiciary, as well as the operationalisation of national cybersecurity coordination mechanisms.
He said ESCCOM was also advancing the Eswatini National Cybersecurity Strategy 2022–2027 and providing training for government, businesses, young people and other stakeholders.
The commission had further published Child Online Safety Guidelines for parents, teachers, librarians and school leaders, while promoting incident reporting, cyber hygiene and resilience across sectors.
Thakatha, however, said the continued evolution of cyber threats meant that the country’s response could not remain static.
“Awareness must be sustained, capacity continually enhanced, partnerships deepened, and innovation embraced,” he said.
Throughout October, cybersecurity activities will include training for civil servants, cybersecurity drills, school competitions and outreach programmes across the regions, university activations, roadshows and radio and television programmes.
The programme will also feature online safety surveys, training for SACCOs and SMMEs, child online safety and cyberbullying awareness, digital pledge campaigns, as well as initiatives promoting safe online shopping and e-commerce.
The campaign will target school learners and students, teachers and institutions, civil servants, youth and young professionals, SACCOs and financial users, SMMEs, parents and caregivers, rural communities, online consumers and e-commerce users and the general public.
Thakatha said the targeted interventions were intended to equip citizens with practical skills to identify cyber threats, protect themselves online and contribute to a safer cyberspace.
He said Eswatini’s digital transformation presented opportunities for growth, innovation, inclusion and improved public services, but these opportunities depended on trust and security within the digital ecosystem.
“Let us use this month as a call to action and above all, let us ensure every citizen can participate safely and confidently in the digital economy,” Thakatha said.
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