The Ministry of ICT, in collaboration with ESEPARC, convened stakeholders on 18 November 2025 to advance the development of Eswatini’s new Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) policy. The engagement focused on positioning the country for the opportunities of the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions, aligning national development efforts with digital transformation initiatives such as Government in Your Hand (GIYH). Senior officials emphasized the importance of inclusive planning, strong local participation, and evidence-based strategies to drive competitiveness, innovation, and long-term resilience.
The session brought together government, academia, the private sector, civil society, and development partners to reflect on Eswatini’s current STI landscape and identify priorities for a future-focused policy framework. Speakers underscored the need for coordinated action, strengthened research capacity, ethical and human-centered innovation, and improved digital infrastructure. The outcomes of this engagement will inform the drafting of the national STI policy, with a full report to follow.
