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Good practice Imported

Universal Access Fund: Smartphones & Assistive Technology for Vulnerable Citizens

Eswatini · Mbabane · See the Eswatini profile · See the Mbabane profile

Evidence: Descriptive / self-reported Top 54% 72/100 · Ask Evidence Copilot about this practice

Eswatini's telecom-regulator-run Universal Access Service Fund has distributed thousands of subsidised smartphones and specialised assistive devices, reaching over 14,000 elderly people and people with disabilities, though a national affordability gap persists.

474 smartphones
Smartphones distributed via Deputy Prime Minister's Office
2,925 smartphones
Smartphones distributed to Social Disbursement Grant recipients
13 devices (8 Prodigi Connect 12 + 5 BrailleNote Reader)
Specialised assistive devices delivered to Ministry of Education
67 children
Children with cerebral palsy receiving assistive devices
20+ schools (45 laptops each)
Rural schools equipped with mobile ICT labs
220+ facilities
Healthcare facilities equipped with Client Management Information System
14,000+ people
Cumulative elderly/disabled people benefited
Universal Access Fund: Smartphones & Assistive Technology for Vulnerable Citizens

Details

Maturity
Established
Promoter
Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) – Universal Access Service Fund
Period
2022–2026 (ongoing)
Keywords
telecommunications, disability inclusion, social protection, digital literacy

Context

The Universal Access Service Fund (UASF) is a statutory fund run by Eswatini's telecom regulator ESCCOM, financed by a levy on telecom operators, distributing subsidised smartphones and assistive technology to vulnerable citizens (elderly people, people with disabilities) since around 2022, and still ongoing.

Results

The Fund reports distributing 474 smartphones via the Deputy Prime Minister's Office and 2,925 to Social Disbursement Grant recipients, 13 specialised assistive devices to the Ministry of Education, devices to 67 children with cerebral palsy, ICT labs in 20+ rural schools and Client Management Information Systems in 220+ health facilities, cumulatively reaching over 14,000 elderly and disabled people; despite 95% 4G coverage, only about 58% of the population uses the internet, indicating the affordability gap persists.

Implementation

Implementation detail (cost, timeline, staffing, conditions for success) is not yet available for this practice.

Commonly funded by

National / regional programmes

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Data sources

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Attachments

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