By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
The Kingdom of Eswatini has
officially launched National Science Month 2026, bringing together government
officials, business leaders, innovators, educators, researchers, and young
people to celebrate the role of science, technology, and innovation in national
development.
The launch event was
attended by South Africa’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation,
Blade Nzimande, who led a delegation to Eswatini as part of efforts to
strengthen regional cooperation in science and technology.
Speaking during the event,
Eswatini’s Minister of Information, Communications and Technology, Savannah
Maziya, described the occasion as an important platform for promoting
innovation and advancing the country's development agenda through science and
technology.
According to Maziya, the
celebration highlighted the transformative potential of science, technology,
and innovation in driving economic growth, creating employment opportunities,
and improving the lives of citizens.
Addressing participants,
Prof. Nzimande emphasized the need for stronger regional collaboration among
African countries, increased investment in research and development, and
greater support for young people pursuing careers in science and technology.
He noted that empowering the
next generation of scientists, engineers, innovators, and entrepreneurs would
be critical to addressing Africa’s development challenges and unlocking future
opportunities across the continent.
The event also served as a
platform for stakeholders from academia, industry, government, and the
innovation ecosystem to exchange ideas and explore ways to strengthen
scientific research, technological advancement, and innovation-driven growth.
Maziya encouraged young
people in Eswatini to pursue their ambitions and embrace opportunities in
science and technology, stressing that the country's future innovators and
leaders are already emerging from its schools, universities, and communities.
National Science Month is
expected to feature a series of activities aimed at promoting scientific
awareness, encouraging innovation, and inspiring greater participation in
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields across
Eswatini.
