Africa-Press – Eswatini. Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has called for a shift from paperwork to real impact, saying youth development efforts must now be measured by improvements in livelihoods and opportunities, as he officially launched the National Youth Development Coordination Framework at Hilton Garden Inn on 30 March 2026.
Speaking during the launch, Dlamini said the framework will help ensure that investments in youth programmes produce visible results in communities, rather than remaining in reports. He said government and its partners must now assess whether their efforts are translating into jobs, skills, enterprises, and better living conditions for young people.
The Prime Minister noted that young people make up more than three quarters of the population, positioning them as central to national development. However, he pointed out that youth unemployment remains high, with more than 49% of young people without jobs and 36% not in education, employment, or training.
“This is the time to see if what we are doing is working and whether the investment we are putting in has results,” he said, stressing that success should be judged by tangible change in communities and in the lives of young people.
He said while government has introduced programmes such as the Eswatini Youth Empowerment Project, Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund, and the Youth Employment Opportunities Project, progress has been slowed by fragmented implementation across institutions.
Dlamini explained that the new framework seeks to address these gaps by improving coordination among government ministries, the private sector, civil society, and development partners. It will also strengthen accountability, reduce duplication, and ensure resources are used effectively.
He said the framework introduces structured coordination at constituency, regional, and national levels, supported by bodies including Tinkhundla Youth Committees, Regional Youth Coordination Committees, a National Youth Development Consortium, and an inter ministerial committee.
The Eswatini National Youth Council will serve as the central coordinating body and secretariat, with an expanded mandate to align youth programmes, advocate for young people, and monitor implementation.
Dlamini urged all stakeholders, including development partners and the private sector, to support the framework, including through financial contributions, to ensure its success.
Addressing young people directly, he said the true measure of the framework will not be meetings or reports, but the number of businesses created, skills developed, jobs secured, and innovations driven by youth.
“The future of the country will be shaped in communities, workplaces, and enterprises built by young people,” he said.
He also acknowledged the European Union for its technical support in developing the framework, along with contributions from government ministries, the youth council, and other stakeholders.
The Prime Minister then formally declared the National Youth Development Coordination Framework launched, marking a new phase in efforts to improve coordination and deliver measurable outcomes for youth development.
