By Nontokozo Gwebu
Eswatini’s digital transformation drive continues to move unabated, as witnessed with the official launch of the Piggs Peak ICT iHub, a pioneering innovation and entrepreneurship space designed to drive digital inclusion, empower the youth, and stimulate local economic development.
The launch event, held at the newly completed hub premises in Piggs Peak, was a landmark occasion attended by high-profile dignitaries, including the Minister of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT), the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Members of Parliament, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, Henrik Franklin, among other stakeholders from the public and private sectors.
The ICT iHub is part of a broader national effort to ensure equitable digital access, with a second hub already planned for Macetjeni. The initiative is supported through a multi-stakeholder partnership involving UNDP, the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM), and the Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO).
In her keynote address, the Minister of ICT, Savannah Maziya, hailed the iHub as a transformative venture for both Piggs Peak and the nation at large.
“Today is an exciting day for Piggs Peak and indeed for the entire nation of Eswatini. We come together to launch a venture crafted to energise local economies, uplift our youth, empower entrepreneurs, and promote digital inclusion across our communities,” she said.
She noted that the iHub aligns with national digital strategies, including the Youth Digital Skills Programme and Government in Your Hands initiative. The Minister also highlighted international collaborations with tech giants like Google and Amazon, aimed at building a globally connected ecosystem.
“To the youth and entrepreneurs of Piggs Peak, this hub is yours. Harness the technology passionately. Let this be a space where your dreams transform into reality,” she encouraged.
Echoing these words, the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, lauded the project as a great achievement in the country’s push for inclusive development.
“This project is a critical building block in the digitization of the SME sector in Eswatini,” he stated. “The iHub is not just a computer lab with internet connectivity. It is a bridge that connects Eswatini to the world, links dreams to opportunities, and unites us in our shared vision of a digitized SME sector.”
Minister Khumalo revealed that the Piggs Peak iHub is the first of many to be rolled out under a directive from His Majesty King Mswati III, who called for the iHub incubation model to be replicated across all Tinkhundla.
He praised SEDCO for leading the implementation and acknowledged the E2.2 million financial support provided by ESCCOM and UNDP, which made the hub a reality.
“The primary objective is to equip young people and women with practical business and ICT skills, transforming them from job seekers into job creators,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the UNDP, Franklin described the iHub as a significant milestone in Eswatini’s ongoing digital journey: “This is a hub where innovation, opportunity, and empowerment come together.”
He highlighted a range of UNDP-supported digital interventions in Eswatini, such as the AgriFinTech Accelerator, weather-based disaster preparedness applications, and remote court systems, all tailored to reach rural populations, people with disabilities, and small businesses.
“Now we have the iHub, which empowers entrepreneurs and populations with limited digital accessibility to turn ideas into action,” he added.
The Piggs Peak iHub is a flagship component of the Eswatini Youth Empowerment Programme (EYEP), which has already benefited hundreds of young people through training, internships, and start-up support. Franklin revealed that over 70 organisations have partnered with the programme, using an AI-powered screening tool to select youth participants.
Sebenele Zikalala, CEO of Genesis7 and operator of the iHub, praised government leadership and reaffirmed Genesis7’s commitment to fostering a vibrant digital ecosystem: “Technology is not just a tool, but a catalyst for transformation. Whether it’s a student learning to code or a small business going digital, we are here to support that journey.”
One of the event’s standout moments came from Zamokuhle Mkhwananzi, a young innovator who shared his journey of building the Umango App, now available on the Google Play Store.
“I had no computer or internet access, but the iHub gave me the tools I needed to make my idea real,” he said.
Already, the iHub has trained 20 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in global trade tools, connected young job seekers with digital platforms, and listed local businesses in online directories. As it grows, the hub is set to become a launch pad for local tech talent and a replicable model for inclusive development throughout Eswatini.