BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
LOBAMBA – The Government has reported that the Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC) Infrastructure Rebuild Project is now 96 percent complete, bringing the country closer to a stronger and more reliable telecommunications network as efforts to modernise Eswatini’s digital infrastructure gather pace.
The progress was revealed by the Minister of Information, Communications and Technology, Senator Savannah Maziya, while presenting the Ministry’s First Quarter Performance Report for the 2026/27 financial year before the House of Assembly Portfolio Committee on July 16, 2026.
The current Managing Director (MD) of the Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC) is Thulani Fakudze. He officially assumed office on 1 July 2026 after being appointed by the Minister of Information, Communications and Technology.
The report showed that the infrastructure rebuild is among the Ministry’s biggest achievements during the first quarter. The project is aimed at strengthening the national telecommunications backbone to improve internet connectivity, communication services and support the country’s growing digital economy.
The Minister further reported that fibre network deployment had expanded to 26 528 home passes, while cross-border internet capacity had been upgraded from 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) to 10 Gbps. This has increased Eswatini’s total international internet capacity to 120 Gbps, creating room for faster and more reliable internet services for households, businesses and government institutions.
As part of improving access to government services, the Government in Your Hand (GIYH) mobile application was enhanced with six new payment services, allowing emaSwati to access more public services through secure digital platforms.
The report also highlighted progress in digital inclusion, with 473 emaSwati trained in basic computer and digital citizenship skills during the quarter. Assistive technologies and digital devices were also provided to vulnerable groups and learners living with disabilities.
Service delivery also improved, with all 34 Post Offices now offering non-tax government revenue collection services through a partnership with the Eswatini Revenue Service. Growth in digital commerce was also recorded, with Phatsisa Tsine e-commerce parcel deliveries increasing by more than 100 percent, while cross-border deliveries rose by 30 percent.
Financially, the Ministry achieved a 76 percent budget absorption rate during the first quarter. Revenue collected by Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services also increased significantly to E1.43 million, up from E180,904 recorded during the same period last year, reflecting improved performance as the Ministry continues implementing its digital transformation agenda.
#Eswatini #ICT #EPTC #DigitalTransformation #Telecommunications #Infrastructure #Broadband #Parliament #Government #Technology #Connectivity
