BY MBONO MDLULI
EZULWINI – Minister of Information , Communications and Technology (ICT) Savannah Maziya has addressed the National Communications Forum on the Importance of Innovation and Consumer Protection
Speaking during the opening of the forum on March 11, 2025 at Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini, has stressed the importance of innovation and consumer protection in the country’s communications sector. Maziya said that digitisation and innovation are now the bedrock of all successful economies. She added that they have the capacity to boost productivity, create new jobs, and enhance the quality of life for societies.
The minister also highlighted the importance of consumer protection in the digital age. She said that the government is committed to ensuring that consumers are protected from harmful practices. She also said that the government is working to create a regulatory environment that fosters innovation and growth in the communications sector.
The minister noted the way in which technology is evolving in the country, stating that some of the innovations witnessed over the years could not be comprehended. She stated that when the first television set was seen in 1976, there were a few families that had it.
However, fast forward to 2025, many families had many of the television sets. Maziya recalled when few people had cellphones, when they were introduced into the country in 1998. At the time, some of these cellphones were huge.
However, now almost everyone has a cellphone and some have more than one. She narrated that when South African mobile telephone giants such as Vodacom and MTN wanted to operate in that country, they saw themselves reaching 600 000 people in terms of coverage.
These companies never thought they would have surpassed these numbers after five years. She mentioned that even medical services were done through technologies, which had to be harnessed by Emaswati in order for the country to improve.
Maziya concluded her remarks by calling on all stakeholders to work together to ensure that the communications sector in Eswatini is able to meet the challenges of the 21st century. She said that the government is committed to working with the private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders to create a vibrant and sustainable communications sector.
Key points from the Minister’s speech:
* Digitisation and innovation are essential for economic growth and development.
* Consumer protection is important in the digital age.
* The government is committed to creating a regulatory environment that fosters innovation and growth.
* All stakeholders need to work together to ensure that the communications sector is able to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
The inaugural National Communications Forum is an event that has brought together stakeholders from the public and private sectors to discuss issues related to the communications sector in Eswatini. The forum is organised by the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM).
