ESWATINI 1ST AFRICAN COUNTRY TO PARTNER WITH GOOGLE

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.

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