COUNTRY: ESWATINI.

The Kingdom of Eswatini has taken a definitive step toward bolstering its national research and innovation framework through a strategic partnership with Namibia to fully operationalise the Eswatini National Research Council (NRC). As detailed in the primary report by Times of Eswatini, the collaboration was reaffirmed during a specialized capacity-strengthening workshop in Mbabane led by Eswatini’s Minister for Information, Communications and Technology, Savannah Maziya. Representing Namibia’s National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST), Dr. Nhlanhla Lupahla pledged ongoing technical guidance and shared governance expertise to assist Eswatini in developing an impactful, regulatory-sound research ecosystem. Drawing from past bilateral benchmarking engagements, Namibian delegates stressed that establishing a dedicated research council is a critical long-term investment in regional socio-economic development, self-reliance, and technological advancement.

The workshop highlighted the complex legislative and practical challenges associated with building national science governance from the ground up. Additional coverage by Eswatini Positive News underscores Minister Maziya’s call for urgency, urging African nations to leverage domestic research and emerging technologies to process abundant raw materials locally rather than exporting them unrefined. Namibian officials shared firsthand insights into navigating public polarization, institutional resistance, and regulatory hurdles during their own science system implementation, emphasizing that transparent stakeholder consultation remains vital to crafting inclusive frameworks. By learning from Namibia’s administrative journey, Eswatini aims to streamline its legal frameworks, protect institutional participation, and establish a credible national standard for scientific innovation.

Beyond bilateral technical support, the partnership promises to expand Eswatini’s visibility and leverage within broader continental scientific networks. According to institutional profiles from the International Science Council, Namibia’s NCRST actively coordinates cross-border research funding and capacity building across Southern Africa. As part of this commitment, Namibia will advocate for Eswatini’s official entry into the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) during the upcoming All Partners Meeting hosted in Windhoek. Securing membership in the SGCI network will grant Eswatini access to international grant management resources, joint regional research initiatives, and collaborative policy channels, positioning the nation to build a resilient, knowledge-based economy.

PHOTO SOURCE: ESWATINI TIMES
Author: Randy Lawson.