According to the Bank’s website, the objectives of the project are to increase access to affordable broadband internet access, and improve the government's capacity to deliver digital public services.

The Digital Eswatini Project aims to assist the country to harness its digital potential - ensuring that all citizens and businesses have access to high-quality, low-cost connectivity, that public services are easily accessible online, and that the digital economy is driving growth, innovation and job creation. The project has three main components with several sub-components which aligns with the Inclusive Digitalization in Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA) pillars.

Component 1: Affordable BroadBand. This will support expand access to affordable broadband connectivity through a sequential roadmap of reforms. Sub-component 1.1 will support financial stablization of Eswatini Post and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC); Sub-component 1.2 will support construction of new fiber optic networks, repairs and upgrading of copper networks to fiber optics including expanding broadband networks by connecting up to 38 Thikundla centers, 859 schools and 134 health centers, providing bulk pre-purchased internet capacity and competitive bidding process for providing last mile connectivity packages, and sub-component 1.3 will support technical assistance to improve policy and legislative framework for governing digital infrastructure.

Component 2: Government in your hand, will support uptake of connectivity via complementary interventions such as deployment of Digital Public Infrastructure building blocks to enhance efficiency in both public and private sector, enhance digital safeguards, supporting digitalizing priority government services through digital paper records, setting up digital systems and building critical mass of digital skilled workers, under sub-component 2.1. Sub-component 2.2 will support technical assistance for developing and implementing a roadmap for digitalization of services, operationalization of e-service roadmap including good required for digitalization of services such as procurement of interoperable systems, Information, Communication and Technology equipment etc. and capacity building for the Royal Science and Technology Park. Sub-component 2.3 will support upskilling of government staff with required technical skills, scaling targeted advance skills programs or providing scholarships to students to attend existing advance digital training programs and scaling up existing advance digital literacy programs with donors and private sector partners.

Component 3: Program management and capacity building will support the PIU and relevant capacity training needs.

The environmental and social risk is considered Moderate. Key EHS risks and impacts related to the activities under sub-component 1.2 and 2.1 include: (i) terrestrial habitat alteration and vegetation loss due to land clearing for installation of fiber optic cables, (ii) dust emissions (iii) soil erosion and sedimentation, (iv) soil and water contamination from oil and fuel leaks (v) traffic flow disruptions and traffic safety risks, (vi) Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from construction vehicles, (vii) exposure of workers to potential sub-terrain electrical hazards, (viii) ergonomic risks due to manual handling, (ix) hand injuries from handling and laying of optic fibers and (x) risk of permanent eye damage due to exposure to laser light during cable connection and inspection activities. Long term operational impacts associated with digital installations and downstream activities supported by the TA include increased (i) energy consumption and associated GHG emissions, (ii) increased electromagnetic radiation and (iii) generation of electronic waste.

Total Project Cost: US$ 65.00 million
IDA Credit + IBRD Commitment: US$ 65.00 million

CONTACT POINT - World Bank

Task Team Leader: Paul Seaden
Title: Senior Digital Specialist
Email: pseaden@worldbank.org

TTL Contact: Lavanya Choudhary
Job Title: Digital Specialist
Email: lchoudhary@worldbank.org

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

To submit an information request for project information, you will have to create an account to access the Access to Information request form. You can learn more about this process at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/access-to-information/request-submission

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF THE WORLD BANK

The World Bank Inspection Panel is the independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who believe they are likely to be, or have been, adversely affected by a World Bank-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the Inspection Panel, they may investigate to assess whether the World Bank is following its own policies and procedures for preventing harm to people or the environment. You can contact the Inspection Panel or submit a complaint by emailing ipanel@worldbank.org. Information on how to file a complaint and a complaint request form are available at: https://www.inspectionpanel.org/how-to-file-complaint