Africa-Press – Eswatini. His Majesty the King has described the partnership with Google, Stardust, and SHE Powers Africa, as one that will transform Eswatini into an innovation hub.
The successful partnership, facilitated by the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, marks the culmination of pioneering efforts by Minister Savannah Maziya, who last year announced a historic collaboration with technology giant Google.
“We acknowledge the bold step to champion action in the Kingdom of Eswatini, which has been presented by Google, Stardust, and SHE Powers Africa. We are grateful for your keen interest in sharing your respective technologies, experiences, and resources with Eswatini. Your trust in our nation reflects a shared conviction that the Kingdom can drive global transformation,” His Majesty the King said.
The partnership aims to bridge the digital divide and build capacity among Emaswati, particularly the youth.
“We are also mindful of the additional benefits that will significantly contribute to the economic development of the country and enhance government operations, particularly in service delivery.
“The Kingdom of Eswatini is pleased that the United Arab Emirates is committed to partnering with us as we empower our women and girls with skills in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity, and more,” the King said.
He described the digital transformation initiatives as more than standalone projects, but as catalysts for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Eswatini and beyond.
“They will create employment, improve livelihoods, expand access to services, and strengthen the resilience of our communities.
“What resonates most clearly is this: The future of Eswatini shines brightly, and it will be forged not on the periphery of progress, but at its very core. We are pleased to partner with an institution that has achieved great milestones, not only in the empowerment of women but also in the advancement of the United Arab Emirates,” he added.
The launch was attended by UAE Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Her Excellency Hanan Ahli, Vice Chair of the Global Council SDG5, UAE Secretary General of the General Women’s Union Noura Al Suwaidi, Global Head of Transformation Practice at Google (Alphabet) Tanya Singh, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Stardust Inc. Jason Michaud, and NASA representative Edward Gonzales, among others.
Emaswati Youth Can Dream of Visiting Space – Minister Savannah
NEW YORK, USA – Minister of Information, Communications and Technology Savannah Maziya has declared that young Emaswati can now aspire to travel to space, following the launch of a historic partnership with global brands Google, Stardust, and SHE Powers Africa.
Speaking at the groundbreaking event, dubbed “Three Firsts for Africa,” with Eswatini leading the way in technology for the future, the minister addressed His Majesty the King, describing herself as a dreamer.
“Your Majesty, like you, I see beyond the horizon and challenge those in government to transform the Kingdom into a First World nation, a first on the African continent. I firmly believe that Emaswati youths will, in the not-too-distant future, be able to travel to space.
“This will be made possible through the partnerships we are launching today with Stardust, a Canadian space company, Google, and the United Arab Emirates,” she said.
The minister highlighted that Stardust’s CEO, Jason Michaud, is a strong advocate for capacity building and will support the Kingdom in establishing a Space Agency.
“Jason, your belief in our ambition to position Eswatini as a player in space technology has been truly inspiring. Your commitment to including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration – known as NASA – in our future partnership is remarkable.
“When I expressed our vision to partner with NASA, I was encouraged that you shared our perspective,” she said.
Minister Maziya also expressed gratitude for the support of the UAE government, which has been instrumental in positioning the Kingdom as a digital hub and driving innovation across the continent.
“Your Majesty, we are also engaged in promising discussions with Google Cloud, one of the world’s leading technology companies. We are actively exploring a potential collaboration to accelerate Eswatini’s digital economy by investigating how frontier technologies can be integrated into government operations.
“This includes exploring solutions such as a digital addressing system and public key infrastructure. We believe that a partnership with a leading hyperscaler like Google Cloud represents a significant opportunity,” she said.
The minister acknowledged the challenges faced in reaching this stage and expressed appreciation for the belief shown in their vision. She also thanked Tanya Singh, Global Head of Transformation Practice at Google (Alphabet), for attending the event.
“We cannot achieve these goals alone, as Michael Bloomberg noted recently. We need credible, experienced, and willing partners.
“The world must recognise Eswatini’s potential – we must not remain a well-kept secret. We are fortunate to have your wise leadership, Your Majesty, and we ask that you continue to be our beacon, champion, and supporter in ICT as we chart the way forward.
“Your leadership in this space for Africa will attract many more credible partners to join our journey, shaping our future as a nation and a continent. We dream of the Kingdom of Eswatini as a leader in the digital space on our continent, and we must play our part in effectively executing this vision so it does not remain merely a dream,” she said.
UAE Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot expressed appreciation for the partnership established with the Kingdom of Eswatini and thanked His Majesty the King for gracing the launch.
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