General

MBABANE — ESCCOM opens applications for new broadcasting licences.

The Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) has officially opened applications for commercial and community television and radio broadcasting licences, marking what Chief Executive Officer Mvilawemphi Dlamini described as a ‘national opportunity’ for the country’s media landscape.

The application window opened yesterday and will remain open until January 27, 2026, with the goal of issuing new licences by April 21, 2026. At a briefing held at ESCCOM headquarters, Communications Manager Fisiwe Vilane welcomed interested parties, while Dlamini outlined the significance of the new licensing phase.

 “This is more than a regulatory announcement. It is the opening of a new chapter-one where more of our voices will be heard, new storytellers will rise and Eswatini’s creativity will shine brighter than ever,” Dlamini said.

He urged potential investors, media entrepreneurs and community groups to seize the opportunity, describing the licences as an invitation ‘to dream bigger, innovate, build and serve’.

Since the passage of the Broadcasting Act, 2023, ESCCOM has worked to build a modern and diverse regulatory framework to underpin a vibrant broadcasting sector. Dlamini said the new licences could generate jobs, foster local creativity and promote media pluralism, while supporting national unity and education.

“The future of Eswatini’s media will be shaped by those who dare to take this step,” he said. “Broadcasting is more than communication; it is a powerful force for unity, education and national pride.”

The technical aspects of the licensing process were explained by ESCCOM’s Director of Technical Activities, Thulani Fakudze.

He outlined that the initial offering will include four categories of free-to-air licences: Commercial and community television and commercial and community radio.

Specifically, ESCCOM will issue one licence each for commercial TV, community TV and commercial radio and four community radio licences (one for each region) to start with. Fakudze said this phased approach will allow the commission to monitor performance before expanding further.

The licensing process has three stages: The application stage (now until January 27, 2026), evaluation (February to March 2026) and licence awarding (March to April 2026), with full completion expected by April 2026. Applications will be evaluated on operational experience, economic and environmental impact, detailed business and commercial plans, as well as technical plans for network, studio and broadcasting infrastructure.

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ESCCOM opens applications for new broadcasting licences. (Pic: Unsplash)