KWALUSENI – More than a dozen local and international speakers are set to engage Eswatini’s youth, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers at the AI and Digital Transformation Summit, taking place on 16 and 17 July 2025 at the UNESWA Kwaluseni Sports Emporium.
The event, organised by Stratcom Media, brings together government, academia, development partners, and innovators under one roof to interrogate the country’s digital future and the role of artificial intelligence in reshaping key sectors.
According to Stratcom Media founder and lead curator Sibusiso Mngandi, the summit is designed to open up real conversations about innovation, opportunity, and accountability in a fast-changing world. He said the space is meant for young people to take initiative and engage meaningfully with issues around AI, data, ethics, and entrepreneurship.
The two-day programme features panels and sessions covering topics such as fintech, financial inclusion, digital healthcare, marketing, education, and the protection of digital rights. A session titled “Quality Education in the Age of AI” will bring together the Ministry of Education, UNICEF, UNESWA, and the National Curriculum Centre to discuss how learning must evolve to meet the demands of the fourth industrial revolution.
Individual tickets are priced between E1,500 and E2,750, with corporate table packages going for E15,000. Early this year, 200 young people were awarded free passes through a registration drive, and the event remains open to the wider public. Tickets are available via summit.stratcomeswatini.com.
Startups and innovation hubs will benefit from free exhibition space and pitch opportunities during a Startup Showcase curated by the Innovators Association of Eswatini. Companies attending the summit can also sponsor sessions or contribute by covering youth transport and meals.
The summit is backed by multiple partners including the Ministry of ICT, Royal Science and Technology Park, UNESWA AI Academy, UNICEF, UNESCO, Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund, PRISA Eswatini, Public Service Pension Fund, Ministry of Health, CHAI, and Nkonyeni Pre-cast.
Organisers say they are working on livestream options and will make digital highlights of the sessions available after the event.
Confirmed speakers include Musa Kalenga of House of Brave (South Africa), Talifhani Banks of Spaza Eats, digital marketer Zama Khumalo, Celumusa Thusi, Linda Zwane from Standard Bank Eswatini, Dr Oliver Museka, Prof Sandile Motsa of UNESWA AI Academy, and Dr Henri-Count Evans from the university’s journalism department.
Others listed include Dr Cebsile Nxumalo (Ministry of Education), Victor Nkambule (UNICEF), Dr Rejoice Maseko (Ministry of ICT), Lwandle Simelane (UNESCO Commission), Sibongseni Mamba (Tibiyo TakaNgwane), Claude Magongo (Plush Communications), Mfundo Mavimbela (Yatu Marketing), and PR consultant Praise Tarvawisa.
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