By Musa Mdluli

MBABANE:The newly launched partnership between the Kingdom of eSwatini and Google is highly expected to enhance investor confidence while digitalizing Government services.

Savannah Maziya, the Minister of Information, Communications and Technology(ICT) launched the partnership this week at the Eswatini Revenue Service Auditorium, a historic digital project that will enable citizens to conveniently access Government services digitally.

Eswatini became the first African country to partner with Google and, the project was facilitated by the ICT Minister who shortly after being appointed by King Mswati, pledged to digitalize the country and ensure that, emaSwati are technology equipped.

Through the new partnership, emaSwati will apply for scholarships online, register new businesses and further apply for passports and other important personal identity documents.

Speaking to this Swaziland News after the launch, Nathie Dlamini, the Business Eswatini Chief Executive Officer(CEO) applauded the ICT Minister for facilitating this partnership with Google, he said such digital transformation will enhance the ease of doing business in the country.

“The partnership between the Ministry of ICT and Google is a transformative step toward enhancing the ease of doing business in Eswatini. By leveraging Google’s cutting-edge digital tools and expertise, we anticipate improved access to technology and innovations that will drive efficiency, productivity, and connectivity for businesses across the country.This collaboration aligns with the global shift toward digitalization,providing local businesses with opportunities to adopt advanced ICT solutions such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data-driven decision-making. Such capabilities are critical for reducing operational costs, improving market access, and fostering competitiveness on a regional and global scale”, he said.

The CEO said additionally, the partnership will address foundational barriers to business growth, such as access to affordable and reliable digital infrastructure.

“By creating a more ICT-enabled environment, we are setting the stage for businesses—large and small—to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.As Business Eswatini, we fully support this partnership and look forward to its tangible benefits for the private sector, including the creation of future-ready jobs and enhanced service delivery. This is indeed a milestone in Eswatini’s journey toward a digitally inclusive and prosperous future,” said the Business Eswatini Chief Executive Officer.