Innovation Spaces - The Kingdom of Eswatini
The Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) was established with the enactment of the Royal Science and Technology Part Act of 2012 to assist in realising Vision 2022. Its partial operations began in October 2015 and will scale up its operations in the short term to medium term. The objective of the RSTP is to ensure that by 2022 Eswatini will be renowned internationally for her swiftness in exploring science, technology and innovation as a means to increase the country's economic growth and increase capacity by developing a knowledge-based economy and infrastructure thus substantially alleviating poverty. The RSTP has two science parks, the Innovation Park, located at Phocweni, Matsapha and the Biotechnology Park, located at Nokwane, Matsapha. The RSTP will provide a multipurpose platform for R&D, production, marketing and trading of IT and bio-related technologies. The RSTP has two sites, the Innovation Park, located at Phocweni, Matsapha and the Biotechnology Park, located at Nokwane, Matsapha. Both parks will incorporate entrepreneurship support services: pre-incubation, incubation and accelerator facilities for IT and biotech enterprises. RSTP began partial operations in October 2015 and will scale up its operations in the short term to medium term. The Innovation Park is collaborating with the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority to identify potential investors for indigenous technology startups and promote a culture of entrepreneurship amongst local university graduates.
The RSTP has an IT Business Incubator (ITBI) and an Advanced school of IT(ASIT) housed within the Innovation Park at Phocweni. The aim of the IT School is to provide world class ICT training, nurturing entrepreneurship through innovation and research. The Advanced School of IT (ASIT) boasts of world class ICT facilities and it offers specialized ICT courses in Software Development, Multimedia, Cyber Security & Forensics and Hardworking & Networking. The Advanced School of IT (ASIT) is affiliated with Aptech. Aptech Limited is a global retail and corporate training solution's provider with a presence in more than 40 countries and a network of over 1300 training centres worldwide. Aptech has an education partnership with universities including Middlesex, Portsmouth UK, RMIT Australia.
The Information Technology Business Incubator (ITBI) is focused on supporting entrepreneurs to commercialize innovations. Priority clusters include ICT, electronics, value-added agriculture, health and beauty, renewable energy and environmental management. This is achieved through provision of access to working space and amenities, business and technical services, technology transfer services and network of mentors, collaborators and advisors to admitted start-ups. The ITBI also provides start-ups with access to networks of potential investors and both fund raising and technical support. ITBI places a strong emphasis on protecting innovation and opportunities for recurring revenue and scalability.
The RSTP Biotechnology Park is focused on strengthening capacity in key areas including agriculture, plant, animal and medical biotechnology and biofuels, biofertilizers, biopesticides, biochemicals and bioenergy products;
The Central Bank of Eswatini in partnership with the RSTP, Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) launched the CBE Fintech Challenge in 2018. Scope of Interest is oriented around a broad range of social challenges associated with unbanked citizens, remote verification of customers, digital payment solutions, affordable remittances, offline mobile payments, support for savings, insurance, borrowing and credit as well as solutions addressing regulatory requirements including cybersecurity. Twenty of eighty two applicants were shortlisted for a five day bootcamp addressing innovation, business planning, financial and telecommunications regulation and software develop to help them further developer their ideas. In 2019, three winners will be accepted into a twelve month RSTP Incubation Program with free office space and connectivity and a cash prize of SZL 16.600 ($1,150) each.
