Eswatini and South Africa have taken a big step towards improving digital future.
Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Savannah Maziya on Tuesday met with South Africa’s Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi in Pretoria, where they signed a Declaration of Intent which means they agreed to work more closely together on digital projects.
According to a press statement released by the ministry on Tuesday, this partnership will help both countries grow their digital economies and improve services for their people. Both ministers said Africa needed to speak in one voice when it comes to digital issues like cybersecurity and internet laws.
Minister Maziya said the partnership would help young people and women get the digital skills they need to succeed.
“This partnership underscores our shared vision of a digitally empowered Africa. By aligning our efforts, we not only enhance regional cooperation but also equip our citizensn particularly the youth and women with the tools to thrive in the digital age,” said Maziya. She also stated that Eswatini was proud to be a regional partner in shaping Africa’s digital future.“This partnership is not just about technology it’s about creating better opportunities and services for all our people,” she said.
Meanwhile, Malatsi stated that the agreement shows how african countries are ready to modernise and use technology to improve people’s lives.“Together, we are laying the groundwork for a digital future that benefits all Africans. This agreement is an important move toward building strong, modern and digital-ready societies in Southern Africa. By sharing knowledge and working together we are showing leadership in Africa’s digital journey,” he stated.
The declaration highlights several key areas where the two countries will work together, which include creating similar ICT laws and policies so it’s easier to work together across borders, doing joint research in new technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) tools, expanding internet access to rural and underserved areas, improving cybersecurity and data protection to keep people and systems safe online and developing digital skills, especially for youth and women, so more people can join the digital economy.
They also discussed improving postal services using digital tools to support online shopping, financial serviced and regional trade. Now that the declaration is signed, technical teams from both countries will create a plan to put these ideas into action. This plan would ensure that real progress was made so that people would start seeing the benefits soon.
Eswatini Observer Press Reader
