Eswatini made history at the United Nations General Assembly by launching two initiatives aimed at advancing Africa’s technological and developmental ambitions.
The announcements, made on the margins of the UN General Assembly and Climate Week at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, saw the Kingdom of Eswatini become the first African country to embrace space exploration as the continent’s “18th Sustainable Development Goal” (SDG-18).
His Majesty King Mswati III, alongside the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology (MICT) and global partners Stardust and She Powers Africa, unveiled the initiatives before an audience that included H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot Bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State in the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other dignitaries.
The first initiative, the Stardust Project (Space 18th SDG), positions space technology as a tool to advance climate action, food security, disaster preparedness, and youth empowerment. The project will offer scholarships and STEM opportunities, aiming to nurture a generation of African innovators capable of leveraging space science for sustainable development.
The second initiative, She Powers Africa, focuses on the empowerment of women and girls aged 18–35. Through training and mentorship in AI, ICT, STEM, biotechnology, cybersecurity, and climate innovation, the program aims to equip over 1,000 women with the skills to drive Africa’s innovation revolution.
In his keynote address, His Majesty King Mswati III emphasized the transformative potential of the initiatives.
“Excellencies, these initiatives are far more than standalone projects; they are catalysts for realizing the Sustainable Development Goals across Africa,” he said. “They will generate employment, uplift livelihoods, expand access to services, and fortify the resilience of our societies.”
The King expressed gratitude to Stardust and She Powers Africa for their partnership and highlighted Google Cloud’s engagement as a potential future collaborator. “Your commitment reflects a shared conviction that Africa can drive global transformation,” he noted.
His Majesty also connected these initiatives to the Government In Your Hand initiative, which places citizens at the center of digital transformation. “Government in your hands empowers our citizens (especially our youth) and ensures that women lead the way, bridging divides, creating jobs, and harnessing technology to serve humanity,” he said.
“As we move forward, Eswatini stands resolute in supporting these partnerships and exploring others, committing to their success and ensuring they unlock opportunities not only for emaSwati but for all of Africa.”
Minister of ICT, Savannah Maziya, echoed the King’s sentiments, noting that the initiatives lay the groundwork for a digital-first future that will future-proof Eswatini’s economy and society.
“These partnerships, which are happening for the first time in Africa, are milestones we will point to as some of the key ingredients that will make us a digital-first world success,” Minister Maziya said. “We do not and will not squander these opportunities. We are strategically future-proofing ourselves.”