By Phesheya Ian Kunene
EZULWINI – Minister of Information, Communications and Technology Savannah Maziya has called on Members of Parliament to rally behind Eswatini’s digital future, declaring that the country is on the brink of a tech-powered transformation set to redefine public service delivery.
Speaking during her keynote address on Day Two of the AI in Governance Workshop, held at the Happy Valley Hotel, the minister delivered a powerful call to action for MPs to champion smart governance initiatives and push for inclusive digital access.
“AI is here. It’s been here. We’re just paying more attention now because it’s becoming more prevalent in all that we do,” Maziya said. “We are building a new, client-centric government that delivers dignity through efficient digital services.”
She revealed that the successful development of the Government in Your Hand (GIYH) app, a one-stop digital platform offering over 200 services, was inspired by her own frustrating experience applying for a national ID. “I saw elderly people standing for hours, without help,” she said. “That’s when I knew something had to change.”
The two-day workshop, hosted in partnership with the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP), was attended by Ministers, Members of Parliament, the Speaker of the House, and senior government officials. It focused on how Artificial Intelligence can enhance policy-making, modernise service delivery, and boost Eswatini’s digital economy.
Senior Science Officer Thembelani Nhlabatsi opened Day Two with a practical overview, urging lawmakers to integrate AI into legislative processes. “Let’s start applying AI even when we analyse policies,” he told participants, underscoring the role of smart tools in modern governance.
RSTP’s Ziphozonkhe Dlamini echoed the minister’s vision, telling MPs that Eswatini has the potential to become an AI hub in Africa. “AI is not just about automation,” he said. “It’s about transforming economies, innovating from within, and delivering homegrown solutions that reflect our unique needs.”
When Hhukwini MP Alec Lushaba asked about the financial cost of implementing AI nationwide, Minister Maziya was candid. “It’s not cheap,” she said, “but we need to understand that costs are high partly because not enough people use data. Infrastructure and access go hand in hand, and that’s why we need your support.”
She highlighted that through the Ministry’s collaboration with EPTC, over 10,000 homes had already been connected via fibre optics, with plans to expand connectivity to more schools, clinics and Tinkhundla centres. “We are already providing free WiFi to 48 Tinkhundlas, and 60 schools are connected with a target of 800 schools by 2028,” she added.
The Minister also revealed plans for a Parliament Channel set to launch by the end of the financial year. “You will be able to speak to the nation every day, not just in two-minute soundbites. It’s time to engage with the people, consistently and meaningfully,” she told MPs.
Juan Moroni, a digital policy expert from the Universal Postal Union, gave an eye-opening presentation on how global postal services are shifting from letters to logistics, noting that letter mail has dropped by 70 percent worldwide.
“The postal system now thrives on transportation and e-commerce,” he said, suggesting Eswatini’s postal sector should embrace innovation and adaptability.
Wrapping up her address, Maziya stressed that AI and digital infrastructure are not luxuries but necessities for economic growth and job creation.
“Let’s leapfrog the limitations. Let’s create a fully digitised government that gives every Liswati dignity, access and opportunity,” she said.
“As Parliament, you are not just lawmakers, you are changemakers,” she concluded. “Let’s build a new tomorrow, one digital step at a time.”
