The Minister of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), Savannah Maziya, officially launched the Youth Digital Skills Programme at the Lavumisa Library.
This is part of a national initiative is designed to equip young EmaSwati—particularly those from rural and underserved communities—with practical, market-ready digital skills. With over 2,300 young people already enrolled and more than 100 having received industry-recognised certifications, the programme is already showing tangible progress in empowering youth for employment, further education, and entrepreneurship.
Operating through public libraries that have been transformed into digital training hubs, the programme provides access to computers, internet connectivity, and trained facilitators. It uses a blended learning model, combining in-person support with certified online content from leading global tech companies including Microsoft, Google, and Cisco.
Participants of the Youth Digital Skills Programme can build skills in areas such as: Digital literacy, Microsoft Office tools, Google Workspace, Networking, Cybersecurity and Cloud computing.
The initiative is delivered in collaboration with partners such as MTN Eswatini, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Eswatini National Library Services. It also emphasizes inclusivity, prioritizing youth, women, and persons living with disabilities.
Speaking at the launch event, Minister Maziya said, digital innovations developed in Eswatini have the potential to address global challenges, impacting the lives of over 8 billion people around the world.
“Today’s launch is more than a training programme; it is a national commitment to position our youth as leaders of a digital Africa. This programme is not just a bridge to jobs; it is a pathway to global recognition,” she said.
Maziya noted that the programme is being implemented under the government’s flagship initiative, “Government in Your Hand”, which aims to bring essential public services closer to the people.
“We are proud to launch this initiative under our flagship programme, Government in Your Hands. Through this programme, we’ve introduced a mobile app that enables citizens to access government services without the burden of long queues, costly travel, or having to leave their communities,” she said.
While acknowledging that the current range of digital services remains limited, Maziya assured the public that additional services are being added continuously.
“We are constantly onboarding new services one by one to ensure that no one is left behind,” she added.
Concluding her address, the Minister called on young people to embrace the opportunities presented by the digital age. “The world is changing. It’s becoming faster, more connected, more digital. And it needs you.” she said. “We need more coders. More engineers. More thinkers. More dreamers. We need young girls in STEM, breaking ceilings and rewriting the rules. We need rural youth creating solutions from Lavumisa that can scale across Africa and to the world.”