Times Of Swaziland: ESWATINI 1ST AFRICAN COUNTRY TO PARTNER WITH GOOGLE

ESWATINI 1ST AFRICAN COUNTRY TO PARTNER WITH GOOGLE
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Sabelo Majola on 21/01/2025 08:51:00


EZULWINI – Eswatini has become the first country in Africa to partner with
Google in bringing government services to the people through the convenience of
electronic devices. Dubbed ‘Government at your hands’, the partnership will
ensure that the populace aligns with the digital revolution and can access
government services, such as applying for scholarships, registering new
businesses and acquiring passports, through the use of cellphones and computers.
The milestone was revealed by Minister for Information, Communication and
Technology (ICT), Savannah Maziya, during the launch of the partnership at the
Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) Auditorium yesterday.
Adopted
The excited Maziya revealed that Eswatini was now entering an era of
“firsts,” a culture that should be adopted and carried forward. “We are
the first country in Africa to be able to work with Google in the government
space, and I truly appreciate that. We should strive to be a country of firsts,
to be able to demonstrate how we can improve our concepts and become a powerful
and attractive country for investors and other AI-powered innovations,” she
said. The minister revealed that the partnership with Google should not only
digitise government services, but also empower the youth, who constitute 70 per
cent of the entire population, to tap into the entrepreneurship space and create
jobs.
“We cannot attract investors to the country if we do not possess the skills
that businesses require. We must train our children and ensure they are equipped
with the skills necessary for success in today’s world,” she said. Maziya
stated that the ministry had been discussing the ‘Government in your hands’
initiative for a considerable time and had been eager to launch the brand and
increase public awareness. She revealed that this year would be the year of
execution. “We will collaborate with Google, our partners from the UAE, and
local partners, while also involving the youth in the creation of their own
future. We must embrace the future, as it is rapidly approaching. The sooner we
proactively adapt, the sooner we can seamlessly integrate these advancements
into our lives,” she said.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of ICT, Phesheya Dube, stated that through
this partnership, they were not only stimulating innovation but also
implementing the ‘Government in your hands’ programme, Eswatini’s
digitisation strategy for 2024-2028. “The ‘Government in your hands’
initiative is transforming access to public services, empowering every citizen
of the country with seamless and inclusive solutions that leave no one behind.
Through this groundbreaking partnership with Google, we are harnessing the
transformative power of technology and our shared dedication to progress,” he
said.