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GOVT SIGNS LANDMARK DEAL WITH GOOGLE

By MELISA MSWELI | 2025-01-22

Information, Communication and Technology Minister, Savannah Maziya, has signed a landmark agreement with tech giant Google, which aims to revolutionise public services through digital innovation and stimulate the economy.

By leveraging technology, government seeks to improve efficiency, transparency, and accessibility for citizens.

Launched under the theme ‘Innovating Together: Exploring Potential Partnerships for Eswatini’s Digital Future and Economic Prosperity’, the agreement aligns with the ‘Government in Your Hand’ programme, a central pillar of the Eswatini Digitalisation Strategy (2024-2028) driven by the ministry.

The strategy seeks to drive the country’s digital agenda and ensure transformation of the economy by tapping into the digital era.

The agreement was signed yesterday at Eswatini Revenue Service headquarters at Ezulwini.
Minister Savannah during the launch said the collaboration with Google Cloud would focus on exploring Google Workspace use for the public sector, exploring emerging technologies and e-learning tools, investigating artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning for government services, cloud computing and cyber security

She said by potentially leveraging Google Cloud’s world-class digital tools, platforms, and expertise, the aim was to explore how to enhance the efficiency of their public services, empower youth with digital skills and position Eswatini as a leader in innovation and talent development.

This service will be used in passport applications, identity cards, scholarships, and company registration available online during the first 12 months.

This means individuals will be able to access important government documents and information while in the comfort of their homes by simply using their phones and computers.

They will thereafter have to only collect their documents once they are processed.
“Globally, Google is renowned for stimulating economies and unlocking opportunities.

Platforms such as YouTube and the Google Play Store have transformed creativity into thriving businesses, particularly for the youth. Google’s tools have enabled entrepreneurs, developers and content creators to innovate, generate income, and contribute to their local economies,” said the minister.

She said government would roll-out several key e-services which would transform interaction between citizens and the government.

This initiative, according to Minister Maziya, will not only make it easier for citizens to access government services but it will also help reduce the administrative red tape that often delays productivity.

Also, streamlining processes and moving them online will allow the government to save time and resources while providing a more user-friendly experience for emaswati.
The minister said for Eswatini, a partnership with Google presented a potential opportunity to tap into that capability.

She further said with a digitally literate and youthful population, 70 per cent of the citizens stand ready to explore how they might leverage Google Cloud’s tools to grow local industries, promote entrepreneurship and create jobs that stimulate the economy.

"This is the execution year; we are going to have Google, the UAE, and young local partners.

Those aged 35 and under will participate in the creation of their futures,” she said.
The minister said government’s effort to establish partnerships with tech companies like Google Cloud was a powerful example of how they could innovate together to achieve economic prosperity.

opportunity
“It is a call to action for our youth, innovators, and the business sector. “This is our opportunity to explore seizing opportunities in app development and digital commerce, to investigate leading in transforming ideas into impactful solutions for Eswatini and the world.

It is also an opportunity to consider contributing to building Eswatini, which is a global leader in digital transformation. Together, we are exploring building a nation that is ready to compete, excel, and lead in the digital world,” she said.

The minister further appreciated Google Cloud for joining the country on the exploratory journey, adding that this potential collaboration was a beacon of what could be achieved when vision meets innovation.

Google Regional Sales Leader, Basil Ayass said accessing information would now be easier as well as service delivery.
“Simple, secure and facts,” he said.

Ayass shared that the technology could assist the country bring services to the people , highlighting how that could be used in different sectors such as health, education, financial management when it comes to budgeting and tax, transportation and logistics, copper, mining, agriculture, land management, justice, environmental and tourism, among others.

He said they had agreed with government to start with public services and continuously develop.
Business Eswatini Chief Executive Officer E. Nathi Dlamini said this was the biggest gig in town.
Dlamini said the minister’s vision of the future was something one was proud of.

He said this was a call for businesses to adapt to the current technology, adding that some people would find themselves without jobs as they would not have been trained to understand the current technology.

He further said the technology was being introduced to government systems for now but would get to the private sector so that they would all flow.

He called on the private sector not be left out as there was no public sector without the private sector.

During discussions, it was highlighted that key stakeholders including network providers, Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC) and Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC), among others, should be involved so that the project was successful.

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