BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MBABANE – The Kingdom of Eswatini is moving to strengthen its legal framework for cybersecurity, data protection and disaster preparedness through the proposed ratification of three key international legal instruments that government says will enhance investor confidence, improve digital security and deepen international cooperation in tackling cybercrime.
The three treaties; the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection (Malabo Convention), the Convention on Cybercrime (Budapest Convention) and the Tampere Convention on the Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations, were presented by the Minister of Information, Communications and Technology, Senator Savannah Maziya, during the Senators’ Workshop on the Ratification of International Legal Instruments organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Addressing senators, Maziya said ratifying the conventions would position Eswatini as a secure and investment-friendly destination while strengthening the country’s digital economy and its ability to respond to emerging technological and security challenges.
She said the three legal instruments would reinforce Eswatini’s commitment to building a resilient, digitally enabled nation by enhancing cybersecurity, protecting personal information, improving cross-border cooperation against cybercrime and strengthening emergency communications during disasters.
The Minister explained that the Malabo Convention, adopted by the African Union in 2014 and which entered into force in 2023 after receiving the required number of ratifications, provides Africa’s continental legal framework for cybersecurity, electronic commerce and personal data protection. To date, 16 African countries have ratified the convention, although many member states are still in the process of doing so.
According to Maziya, the convention would help Eswatini establish a secure and trusted digital environment by strengthening data privacy laws, promoting secure electronic transactions and facilitating greater digital integration with other African countries.
She noted that the legal framework would also encourage confidence among investors by providing stronger protections for businesses and consumers operating in the digital economy.
The Minister further highlighted the importance of the Budapest Convention, the world’s first and most widely adopted international treaty specifically addressing cybercrime. The convention provides a common legal framework that enables countries to cooperate in investigating offences such as hacking, online fraud, identity theft, child exploitation and ransomware attacks while facilitating the sharing of electronic evidence across borders. More than 75 countries from Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas have joined the convention or acceded to its provisions, making it the leading global instrument against cybercrime.
Maziya said ratification would strengthen Eswatini’s ability to prevent, investigate and prosecute cybercrime while equipping law enforcement agencies with internationally recognised legal tools to combat increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
She also presented the Tampere Convention, a United Nations treaty that facilitates the rapid deployment of telecommunications equipment and services during disasters and humanitarian emergencies.
The convention removes regulatory barriers that often delay the entry of emergency communications equipment into affected countries, enabling faster coordination among governments, humanitarian agencies and relief organisations. The treaty entered into force in 2005 and has now been ratified by 50 countries across different regions of the world.
Maziya said accession to the convention would improve Eswatini’s disaster preparedness by ensuring communications infrastructure can be restored quickly during emergencies, allowing rescue teams and relief agencies to coordinate more effectively.
She emphasised that stronger telecommunications systems are critical in protecting lives and supporting national resilience during natural disasters and other crises.
The Minister stated that ratifying the three international legal instruments would strengthen Eswatini’s legal and institutional framework, improve investor confidence and demonstrate the country’s commitment to international best practice in digital governance, cybersecurity and emergency preparedness.
The proposed ratifications are expected to form part of Eswatini’s broader efforts to modernise its digital ecosystem while strengthening cooperation with regional and international partners in an increasingly interconnected world.
#ICT #Eswatini #CyberSecurity #MalaboConvention #BudapestConvention #TampereConvention #DigitalTransformation #DataProtection #Cybercrime #DisasterPreparedness #InternationalCooperation #Investment #DigitalEconomy
