Piggs Peak – Eswatini Tech Academy has graduated its first cohort from a community-based computing programme in Piggs Peak, marking a milestone in efforts to bring digital skills training to rural parts of the Kingdom.
The graduation ceremony was held at The Highlands Inn Hotel on 1 August 2026, where 10 participants received Certificates of Competence after completing 91 days of training in basic computing and data management.
The graduates were among 25 beneficiaries enrolled in the programme, which was run in partnership with Nginamadvolo Alliance and focuses on practical data entry and Excel skills. Around 75 people attended the four-hour ceremony, including family members, church leaders and current students. Graduates wore black and purple gowns. 
The programme forms part of a broader three-year initiative aimed at equipping 100 individuals per year in Piggs Peak with Excel and database skills, offered free of charge. By the first quarter of 2026, 71 individuals had already completed training under the programme.
With the first cohort now certified, attention has shifted to employment outcomes. Youth unemployment in rural areas remains a concern, and organisers say the next phase will focus on creating income opportunities linked to the skills acquired.
A second group, currently four weeks into training, attended the ceremony. Their graduation is scheduled for October 2026, with plans already underway to involve retail sector partners in that event.
Eswatini Tech Academy said it plans to maintain operations in Piggs Peak for the next two years while expanding outreach to nearby communities, including Sigangeni. Current training sessions accommodate eight students at a time, working in pairs, despite limited resources.
