Eswatini is advancing its national digital transformation plan, unveiling new laws and strategies aimed at enhancing infrastructure, legislative frameworks, and digital skills training. The Minister of ICT, Savannah Maziya, disclosed during the 2025 Economic Update that the government has introduced bills for cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, and e-commerce, along with upcoming regulations for AI, robotics, and satellite systems. Key infrastructure developments include expanding nationwide fibre optic networks and upgrading internet capacity. Mbabane, the capital, is being developed as a Smart City with 5G coverage, AI-powered surveillance, and expanded public Wi-Fi. The Ministry has also launched more than 11 digital public services, with plans to add 90 more over the next three years, and initiated a coding program to train over 300,000 citizens in digital skills[1].
On the legal and security front, Eswatini has drawn international attention over its recent acceptance of foreign deportees. In July 2025, the United States transported five individuals—described as high-risk criminals—into Eswatini after their home countries allegedly refused re-entry. The group is reportedly being held at Matsapha Correctional Complex, and their ongoing detention has sparked legal and humanitarian concerns. Critics, including a representing lawyer, have argued that the deportees are being denied due process and visitation, with little public information released about the terms of the US-Eswatini agreement. South Africa has also raised alarm, worried about the potential security implications given the countries’ proximity[3][5][7].
Despite these developments, the European Union’s 2024 Annual Report described Eswatini’s political and security environment as “stable,” acknowledging that the country is still polarized and recovering from the violence of the 2021 protests. The unresolved 2023 assassination of prominent human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko remains a major issue. The EU Parliament has called for a thorough investigation, but, to date, no concrete progress has been reported. The government of Eswatini, while condemning extremist violence, continues to face criticism for its lack of progress in democratic reforms and accountability for human rights abuses[4][6].
References
- [1] Eswatini advances digital vision with new laws, 5G and skills training
- [3] Lawyer says he’s not been allowed to see 5 immigrants deported by the US to a prison in Eswatini
- [4] EU report states: Political situation stable in Eswatini :: News
- [5] SA ‘deeply concerned’ by Eswatini to house dangerous criminals
- [6] World Report 2025: Eswatini
- [7] South Africa raises immigration related concerns with Eswatini
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