MBABANE –Local digital creators have appealed to government to create a framework that will allow them to earn income from their work on global platforms.
Through a letter addressed to Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini, ICT Minister Savanah Maziya and the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture, Bonginkosi William Magagula said the country’s artists, storytellers and entrepreneurs were eager to join the global creative economy but faced barriers that made monetization impossible.
He noted that outdated media laws, lack of secure payment systems and weak connectivity were keeping Swati youth from accessing opportunities available to their peers elsewhere. He urged government to modernise digital laws, establish safe payment channels, partner with international tech companies, expand affordable internet and invest in digital education.
According to Magagula, these steps would empower young Swatis, diversify incomes, encourage entrepreneurship and project authentic stories of the kingdom to the world.
The struggle for access is shared in the region. Botswana’s Tina Nyambwe said she could not withdraw over $500 earned from Facebook because her government had not secured agreements with Meta, despite her content reaching eight million views.
Within Eswatini, Mncina Nomvuyo Cinisile questioned why YouTube monetization was still unavailable, months after government announced progress with Google.
On 13 March 2025, Ministry of ICT Principal Secretary Phesheya Dube told delegates at the ESCCOM National Communication Forum that Eswatini had entered into a partnership with Google. He said the deal would allow YouTube monetization for local users while also creating space for broadcasters to rely less on foreign productions and grow the country’s own content industry.
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