Eswatini Aims To Establish Itself As Hub For AI Development & Deployment In Africa- Minister Savannah

By Sizwe Dlamini

Eswatini is ready to lead, but success hinges on building robust partnerships. The vision is clear—technology must become the new oil, benefiting all, not just a select few.

These are the words of Minister of Information Communication and Technology (ICT), Savannah Maziya, when making her remarks during the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates recently.

In her address, Maziya articulated Eswatini’s strategic vision of becoming a leader in the global AI and technology landscape, focusing on harnessing AI’s transformative economic opportunities for the continent. She also highlighted the importance of investment partnerships in unlocking this vast potential.

Highlighting Eswatini’s forward-thinking initiatives, Maziya pointed to the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP), which was established over a decade ago under the vision of His Majesty King Mswati III.

“The RSTP has evolved into a hub for innovation, featuring a Tier 3 Data Center and plans for two additional Tier 4 centers. This infrastructure positions Eswatini as a digital-first nation, poised to embrace the opportunities presented by AI, biotechnology, and advanced connectivity” she said.

Maziya emphasized Eswatini’s commitment to fostering an inclusive digital economy. With over 60% of the youth population, the government actively engages women, differently-abled individuals, and rural communities to ensure equitable access to technology and resources.

“This approach aims not only at economic growth but also at building a resilient society where everyone can participate,” she said.

The Minister outlined key areas where Eswatini seeks global partnerships to catalyze growth in the coming years.

“AI and Automation: Eswatini aims to establish itself as a hub for AI development and deployment in Africa by fostering a conducive investment climate. We are looking at Data Centers and Semiconductor Production: The country is prepared to host state-of-the-art data centers and lead innovations in semiconductor production. In addition to this, we are looking at Biotechnology and Agricultural Technology. Integrating technology with agriculture is essential for ensuring food security and driving climate-friendly innovations across the continent as well as in Space Technology and Research, where Eswatini is expanding its capabilities in space research, aiming to play a significant role in Africa’s engagement in this emerging frontier,” she added.

Maziya then stressed the urgency of collaboration, noting that Eswatini has established a Special Economic Zone around the RSTP to provide a predictable regulatory framework that is attractive to investors.

She highlighted recent agreements with global partners, including a memorandum of understanding with the UAE, showcasing Eswatini’s commitment to learning, innovation, and sustainable development.

“This is a call to action, global investors should engage with Eswatini, as a pathway to creating sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective services,” she said.

Maziya also posed critical questions about the future asking, “How can we ensure equitable participation in the economy? How do we safeguard data while reskilling the workforce to adapt to technological changes?”

Furthermore, the Minister noted that capturing Africa’s share of the AI-driven economy requires immediate action.

“Eswatini is ready to lead, but success hinges on building robust partnerships. The vision is clear—technology must become the new oil, benefiting all, not just a select few.”

On another note, Maziya said she believes that Africa has the immense potential to capture a projected E22.2 trillion ($1.2 trillion) from the anticipated E296 trillion ($16 trillion) contribution of artificial intelligence (AI) to the global economy by 2030.

Maziya framed the current economic landscape with a striking statistic: Africa’s economy stands at $3.1 trillion, making the prospect of an additional $1.2 trillion through AI both transformative and critical.

She noted that Africa is on the brink of significant demographic changes, with its population expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2040, the majority of whom will be young and tech-savvy. This demographic advantage necessitates proactive strategies to ensure that young Africans are equipped to thrive in an AI-driven economy.

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