Senators ask for clarity on Google MoU

SENATORS have asked Minister of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Savannah Maziya to clarify the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that the country has with Google before it causes confusion in the country.

During the debate of the ministry of ICT 2025/26 financial year performance report, Senator Princess Ncengencenge said there could be unrest if the minister did not clarify what was currently happening regarding Google and digital monetisation.

She said there were many allegations that needed to be addressed.

The princess said as senators, they wanted to know what the MoU between government and Google entailed. She added that they wanted clarity on what Google had promised the nation, noting that they had previously engaged the regulator, the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) on whether it had engaged Google to ensure locals could be paid for their content.

According to the senator, ESCCOM indicated that it had engaged Google and was told the country’s population was too small to make business sense. Instead, the country was advised to collaborate with other Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states to form a larger market.

She said she was left confused when ESCCOM suggested a regional approach while the minister had returned with an MoU. The senator said she wanted clarity on where the country stands and what the agreement entails. She added that if the minister was facing resistance, the House needed to understand the challenges and how it could assist.

“It becomes dangerous when the youth knows they should be assisted but are unable to receive that support because of obstacles. Can the minister explain the MoU and any challenges? How far is the monetisation of content in the country? When the youth becomes frustrated, it is concerning,” she said.

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Senator Lizzie Nkosi also called for clarity, questioning whether the office of the attorney general and legal advisors were consulted before the MoU was signed. She noted that many young people were active in the digital space and are seeking opportunities to earn income.

In response, Minister Maziya said the country needed to define its long-term vision and strike a balance between local and international players. She said engaging experienced global partners was essential for progress.

The minister explained that the MoU with Google was intended to accelerate the country’s development goals. She added that Eswatini should not be afraid to associate with global companies, as this enhanced international recognition.

“Americans are our partners and some of the partners we engage with are from America, while others are from Taiwan. The challenge arises when we speak negatively about these companies, which may cause them to lose interest,” she said.

Maziya encouraged senators to review the MoU to better understand its provisions, noting that such agreements facilitate collaboration with international partners. On monetisation, she said the issue could be approached in two ways.

“We were told our population is not large enough to attract them, but that does not mean we cannot engage them individually while also exploring regional opportunities. While ESCCOM is taking a SADC approach, we are engaging them directly. There are no contradictions and we believe this will benefit locals,” she said.