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Past Event

Eswatini Economic Update

Harnessing The Potential of Digital Technologies for Eswatini’s Growth and Job Creation.

The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini, in partnership with the World Bank Group, is committed to driving sustainable and inclusive economic growth through strategic digital transformation. The latest edition of the Eswatini Economic Update report analyzes recent economic trends, the economic outlook and underscores the critical role of digitalization in addressing the country’s pressing challenges.


The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini, in partnership with the World Bank Group, is committed to driving sustainable and inclusive economic growth through strategic digital transformation. The latest edition of the Eswatini Economic Update report analyzes recent economic trends, the economic outlook and underscores the critical role of digitalization in addressing the country’s pressing challenges.

The Eswatini Economic Update (EEU) 2025, a flagship World Bank report developed in close collaboration with the Government of Eswatini, presents a transformative opportunity to leverage digitalization as the cornerstone of economic resilience and inclusive growth. Against the backdrop of projected 5% GDP growth in 2025 and volatile SACU revenues, this second edition of the EEU underscores the urgent need to digitalize key sectors, strengthen fiscal sustainability, and address structural constraints to unlock Eswatini's long-term prosperity.

ľ¹ÏÓ°Ôº invites you to the livestreamed launch event on July 31st, 2025, which will be addressed by Hon. Thambo Gina, Minister of Economic Planning & World Bank Governor; Hon. Neal Rijkenberg (Minister of Finance), Hon. Savannah Maziya (Minister of ICT) and the World Bank’s Resident Representative for Eswatini Mr.  Ikechi Okorie.  There will be presentations, by Marko Kwaramba, World Bank Senior Country Economist) who will analyze Eswatini's recent economic developments and outlook, and Paul Seaden, World Bank Senior Digital Specialist, who will outline a digital transformation roadmap. This will be followed by a panel discussion, and question and answer session with experts from the Central Bank of Eswatini, University of Eswatini, Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies, and the Innovators Association of Eswatini.

Director of Ceremonies:

Ms. Thabsile Mlangeni, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Development


09:00 – 09:30  Arrival and Registration
09:30 – 09:40  Welcome and Introductions: Ms. Thabsile Mlangeni, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning 
09:40 – 10:00 

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  • Hon Neal Rijkenberg, Minister of Finance  

  • Mr Ikechi Okorie, Resident Representative, ľ¹ÏӰԺ  

10:00 – 10:15  Presentation by MICT on Government Strategy for Digital Transformation 
  • Hon Savannah Mayiza, Minister of ICT 

10:15-11:00 

Recent Economic Developments and Outlook 

  • Marko Kwaramba, Sr. Country Economist, ľ¹ÏӰԺ  

Harnessing the Potential of Digital Technologies for Eswatini’s Growth and Job Creation:   

  • Paul Seaden, Senior Digital Specialist, ľ¹ÏӰԺ  

11:00 - 11:15  Official Launch of EEU:  
  • Hon Thambo Gina, Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Governor of ľ¹ÏӰԺ  

11:15 - 11:30  Photo Opportunity - Break 
11:30 – 12:00 

Panel Discussion   

Moderator: Ms. Oarabile Minky Moilwa External and Corporate Relations, ľ¹ÏÓ°Ôº Eswatini  

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  • Mr. Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, Director, Research Department at the Central Bank of Eswatini 

  • Dr. Henri-Count Evans, Journalism and Media Studies| Climate Change| Digital Transformation, University of Eswatini 

  • Dr. Rejoice Maseko, Director of Research, Science, Technology & Innovation, Ministry of ICT  

  • Mr.  José Rego, Innovators Association of Eswatini  

12:00 – 12:20  Questions and Answers 
12:20 – 12:30 

Way forward & Closing Remarks  

  • Mr. Andreas Dlamini, Principal Secretary, MICT  

12:30  ³¢±«±·°ä±á 

Date: July 31, 2025

Time: 03:30 AM - 06:20 AM ET

Location: Online

Virtual:

Explore how digital technologies can drive Eswatini’s growth at the launch of the second Eswatini Economic Update.