Energy & Local Ownership: Prime Minister Russell Dlamini says Eswatini aims to exceed 1,000MW of domestic generation by 2030, while opening the electricity sector to Independent Power Producers—but with expectations of long-term ownership, jobs, skills and local industrial capacity. Energy Policy Push: Dlamini also urged an “Africa First” approach to energy sovereignty, calling for transparent local-content rules and partnerships that build indigenous companies, not just deliver infrastructure. Media Tech & Skills: MTN, the University of Johannesburg and the African Editors’ Forum welcomed the first cohort (42 journalists) for the MTN Pan-African Media Innovation Programme, focused on resilient journalism in an AI-driven digital era. Digital Skills for Youth: Eswatini’s ICT ministry ran digital skills sessions at Mavuso Trade Centre, covering careers, coding, software development, and content creation. Agritech & Climate Data: A young entrepreneur is using AI via the Imvelo App Suite to help smallholder farmers manage climate risks, irrigation planning and pest diagnosis—plus improve access to finance through better records. Broadcasting Licences: ESCCOM granted free-to-air commercial radio licences to SakhaLive FM and Icon Connect Radio, expected to boost content diversity and create jobs across the media value chain. Business Productivity: UNDP urged firms to invest smarter for productivity—using technology for real cost drivers like energy, logistics and irrigation, not just “fashionable” tech. Economy Snapshot: CSO reports GDP hit E96.6bn in 2025 with 4.8% real growth, led by a strong tertiary sector. MSME Finance Reform: Commerce minister Manqoba Khumalo called for MSME lending models that match business realities, linking finance to markets, records, standards and technology. Agriculture Trade Shift: Agriculture officials pushed green production and high-value crops, stressing agro-processing and value-chain upgrades for sustainable trade.