By Mfanufikile Khathwane
MBABANE – Picture this: instead of standing in a long queue for a vehicle license or traveling across town for a passport update, you simply unlock your phone. In just a few taps, government services are right there in your palm. This is no longer a dream, it’s Eswatini’s reality, thanks to the Government in Your Hand mobile app.
Launched in May 2025, the app marks a bold stride in the nation’s digital transformation journey. Three months in, the results are modest but promising. With more than 3,000 downloads in a country of just over a million people, the Ministry of ICT sees vast room for growth, and an opportunity to make technology a household ally.
“We are a mostly youthful, tech-savvy nation, but the uptake is not where we hoped,” said Bonga Ndlangamandla, E-Government Director at the Ministry of ICT, in an interview on Eswatini TV’s Kusile Breakfast Show on August 27. “We are now encouraging Maswati to download and actively use the app.”
Convenience at Your Fingertips
From renewing vehicle licenses to checking ID and passport status, applying for scholarships, registering companies, and even accessing emergency contacts, the app is designed to make life smoother. It doesn’t stop there, it also delivers daily essentials like weather updates, public holidays, and more, positioning itself as an everyday companion, not just a bureaucratic tool.
According to Menzi Khumalo, AI Strategist at the Royal Science and Technology Park, inclusivity was top of mind in the design. “The app works across Android, iPhone, and Huawei platforms, and it’s built to be simple. But many citizens still don’t know it exists, and that’s the real challenge,” he explained.
Building a Culture of Use
Officials are urging users not just to download the app, but also to update it regularly, leave reviews, and share their experiences on social media. Each small action contributes to improving functionality and strengthening security.
“The more Maswati interact with the app, the more secure and effective it becomes,” Ndlangamandla noted. Feedback, he emphasized, is the engine driving the app’s growth.
Towards a Digital Future
The next chapter for Government in Your Hand lies in awareness and engagement. With fresh outreach campaigns, partnerships, and word-of-mouth spreading, the government envisions a time when accessing services online will be as natural as making a phone call.
What began as an experiment in convenience is quickly shaping up to be a new way of life. If adoption accelerates, Eswatini could soon stand as a shining example of how digital tools can bring citizens and government closer than ever before.
