Telecom

Eswatini Calls for Global Partners to Drive National Connectivity Goals

Eswatini Calls for Global Partners to Drive National Connectivity Goals
Thursday, 14 November 2024 10:30

The push for digital connectivity in Africa is crucial for socio-economic development and for bridging the digital divide. The continent has faced historical challenges in developing its telecommunications infrastructure. However, recent efforts signal a strong commitment to advancing digital capabilities and positioning it as a player in the global digital economy.

The Eswatini Posts and Telecoms Corporation (EPTC), led by Group Managing Director Themba Khumalo, has issued an open call for international fibre and technology partners to support Eswatini's ambitious digital agenda. He announced this at the ongoing Africa Tech Festival, held from 11- 14 November at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) in South Africa. EPTC aims to bridge the urban-rural divide, expanding broadband services and enhancing quality for communities nationwide.

“We are open for business,” said Khumalo, inviting global technology companies to partner with EPTC. By drawing from global telecom experiences, EPTC has developed a unique hybrid connectivity model that aligns with Eswatini’s diverse urban and rural needs.

As a landlocked country, Eswatini relies on neighboring nations for international bandwidth, resulting in relatively high access costs and lower market penetration. According to Datareportal, Eswatini had 708,200 internet users at the beginning of 2024, with internet penetration at 58.3%.

The Eswatini Posts and Telecoms Corporation (EPTC) aims to address these challenges by forming strategic alliances with both national and global infrastructure owners. These partnerships are essential for expanding geographic coverage, enhancing network resilience, and stabilizing internet services across the country. As part of its commitment to continuous improvement, EPTC plans to strengthen the national backbone by diversifying access to undersea optical fiber cables, ultimately lowering costs and improving service for all Eswatini residents.

Expanding broadband access is critical for economic growth, job creation, and social inclusion. According to the World Bank, a 10% increase in broadband penetration in developing countries can lead to a 1.38% increase in GDP.

This expansion is set to bring high-speed internet, cloud services, and e-learning opportunities to even the most remote areas, helping to create a more inclusive digital landscape.

Hikmatu Bilali

On the same topic
MTN has announced the launch of the MTN Cloud Accelerator, a 12-week hybrid program designed to help African startups scale faster by leveraging MTN’s...
Flutterwave gained a BCEAO license to operate in Senegal, expanding to 35 African countries. It targets growth in Africa’s booming $1.5T...
Nigeria plans to retrain ex-cybercriminals for careers in digital security and tech. A new academy will launch with 500 trainees, expanding later...
Reliable, high-capacity international connectivity is crucial for driving economic growth, enabling digital services, and promoting regional...
Most Read
01

• Inflation within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) fell to a two-year low of 0....

UEMOA: Inflation Drops to 0.6% in May, Driven by Lower Food Prices
02

• Interbank volumes rose 18.7% in May, while rates declined across the market• The BCEAO cut its mai...

WAEMU Sees Easing Conditions on Regional Interbank Market
03

• The U.S. imposed a 20% tariff on cashew exports from Vietnam and a 40% tax on suspected transshipm...

U.S. Tariffs on Vietnam Cashews May Disrupt Trade, Hit African Growers (Interview)
04

Cauri Money launches Gajo Money, an e-wallet for the Cameroonian diaspora, targeting €120 mil...

Cauri Money Targets Cameroonian Diaspora with Digital Wallet Launch
05

• Qatar Airways and Kenya Airways establish strategic agreement, introducing a third daily flight be...

Qatar Airways Expands its Network in Africa, Building Presence in Kigali, Johannesburg, and Nairobi
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

regie@agenceecofin.com 
Tél: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72
Média kit : Download

EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.