ICT is an emerging sector supported by the country’s transition to being an efficiency-driven economy. Eswatini has embarked on a number of initiatives to spur the growth of this key sector such as e-government and the construction of the Royal Science and Technology Park. The country boasts of a fixed network that is 100% digital and supported by a countrywide optical fibre network and increased skills pool for the sector through the introduction of IT courses in tertiary institutions.
- Total population = 1.39 million
- Internet users = 0.44 million (32% penetration)
- Mobile connections = 1.01 million (73%)
- Active social media users = 0.19 million (14%)
This sector is regulated by the;
- Telemedicine, education and socio-economic development
- Accessible and affordable internet infrastructure
- Broadcasting service and local content development
- E-commerce and online services
- Strategic partnerships: Network modernization, financial online services
Over the years, the Kingdom of Eswatini has identified rich deposits of a number of precious stones and gems. The country has two operational mines which extract Gold in the North West of the country and Coal in the South East. Eswatini has over 760 million tonnes of unexplored minerals in different parts of the country
- Iron Ore = 600 million tonnes
- Anthracite Coal = 150 million tonnes
- Diamond = 80 000 carats
- Exploration, mining, up to the marketing of mineral products (coal, gold, diamond and quarry etc.)
- Beneficiation and value addition
Agriculture has traditionally been the backbone of Eswatini’s economy, contributing 8% to the country’s GDP in 2017. The sector also provides raw material to the manufacturing sector through the processing of agricultural products such as timber, fruits and sugar cane. The sector is a major source of employment for over 70% of the rural population.
The country has diverse agricultural activities that include sugar cane, citrus fruit, cotton, maize and other cereal production, as well as forestry, livestock and other undertakings which generate foreign exchange earnings. Agriculture is successful because of the four climatic regions with fertile soils and rainfall averaging 130mm in summer and 10mm in winter and the availability of major dams for irrigation purposes.
- Increased local production of targeted products such as dairy, fruits, vegetables, meat and other agricultural produce
- Value addition of agricultural produce (e.g. tomatoes, peppers, sweet corn, citrus, meat etc.)
- To establish within the agribusiness special economic zone at the King Mswati III International Airport
- Agricultural products marketing services
Manufacturing is one of the major sectors in the economy, contributing about 40% to the GDP and is the second largest employer after the Agriculture sector. Main products include food and beverages, textiles, zippers and apparel, timber, engineering and metal products, plastics and chemicals as well as refrigerators.
- Local manufacturing of essential medicines
- Anti-snake venom manufacturing
- Integrated waste management (green, non-burn technologies)
- High-end fashion textile manufacturing
- Wood processing
- Downstream value added sugar products
ICT is an emerging sector supported by the country’s transition to being an efficiency-driven economy. Eswatini has embarked on a number of initiatives to spur the growth of this key sector such as e-government and the construction of the Royal Science and Technology Park. The country boasts of a fixed network that is 100% digital and supported by a countrywide optical fibre network and increased skills pool for the sector through the introduction of IT courses in tertiary institutions.
- Total population = 1.39 million
- Internet users = 0.44 million (32% penetration)
- Mobile connections = 1.01 million (73%)
- Active social media users = 0.19 million (14%)
This sector is regulated by the;
i. Eswatini Communications Commission Act of 2013 ii. Electronic Communications Act of 2013
- Telemedicine, education and socio-economic development
- Accessible and affordable internet infrastructure
- Broadcasting service and local content development
- E-commerce and online services
- Strategic partnerships: Network modernization, financial online services
Eswatini has 70% national coverage of electricity. Installed capacity for power generation is about 70 MW. Domestic energy sources are mainly hydropower and diesel power plants. The supply shortfall currently stands at 70–80% of the 230MW aggregate demand. The kingdom offers opportunities for the generation of sustainable power that can increase the base load generated locally and the potential for export to the Southern African power pool.
This sector is regulated by the;
The government actively seeks investments by independent power producers who would invest in local generation by requesting solicited bids on biomass (40MW), solar (40MW) and hydro power generation.