Mbabane – Government, industry, academia and young innovators gathered on Tuesday for the Joint Commemoration of Women and Girls in Science and Girls in ICT Day 2026, held under the theme: “Synergising AI and STEM; Empowering women and girls to shape an inclusive digital frontier.”
ICT Minister Senator Savannah Maziya, who delivered the keynote address, said women and girls must be at the centre of Eswatini’s digital transformation.
“Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future concept; it is already shaping our world. Its transformative potential can only be fully realised if development is inclusive,” she said. 
The Minister pointed to several government programmes advancing digital inclusion and STEM participation among women and girls in the Kingdom. These include the Udacity Coding Programme, the African Girls Can Code Initiative, WiSET, Africa Educate Her and the STEM Mentorship Programme.
She urged young women and girls to confidently pursue opportunities in science, technology and innovation, telling them that their ideas, skills and leadership are essential in shaping an inclusive digital future for Eswatini.
