Africa-Press – Eswatini. The government has reinforced its commitment to youth empowerment by officially disbursing E540 000 in Micro-Agricultural Grants to 92 young entrepreneurs, including seven youth with disabilities.
The reinforcement took place on Monday, November 24, 2025 at Ludzeludze Youth Centre.
Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima encouraged the beneficiaries to use the funding responsibly to build sustainable livelihoods, strengthen the national agricultural value chain, and contribute to food security. The initiative, coordinated by the Eswatini National Youth Council (ENYC), attracted 749 applications from across the country, reflecting growing youth interest in agribusiness and entrepreneurship.
Minister Nzima described the day as a milestone in the country’s national journey of youth empowerment. “What we celebrate today is more than financial support; it is a commitment to building sustainable livelihoods, strengthening our agricultural value chain, and giving young Emaswati a meaningful place in the economy,” he said.
A thorough selection process ensured fairness and transparency. From 749 applications, field verification visits were conducted for 140 enterprises, resulting in 91 approved projects. Beneficiaries include individual entrepreneurs, cooperatives, and young people with disabilities a deliberate inclusion aimed at ensuring that no young person is left behind in national development.
The Minister also highlighted the broader impact of the programme on climate-smart agriculture. “Young people are vital to promoting sustainable farming practices, adopting new technologies, improving water-use efficiency, and building resilience against changing climate conditions,” he said.
Minister Nzima encouraged beneficiaries to maintain proper records, commit fully to growing their enterprises, and remain close to ENYC for mentorship and monitoring. He also offered words of encouragement to applicants who were not selected: “Ningapheli emandla, akusho kutsinitehluleki. Your proposal needs refining. Attend ENYC capacity-building activities and apply again. Government is committed to expanding opportunities; do not lose hope.”
The grants programme is part of a strategic government approach guided by the State of the Youth Report, National Youth Policy, and the Youth Development Coordinating Framework. Evidence from these documents shows high youth unemployment, skills gaps, and barriers faced by youth with disabilities, which informed the focus on agriculture as a key entry point for youth economic participation.
Minister Nzima reiterated that the government is determined that these youth development strategies are living tools and not just documents. “Government is serious about empowering young people and will continue to champion programmes and resources that build a prosperous Eswatini,” he said.
The Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, YERF, private sector partners, NGOs, and development agencies, will continue supporting youth-led enterprises through mentorship, market access, and linkages to larger financing mechanisms.
As the ceremony concluded, Minister Nzima thanked all partners, ENYC staff, and the media for supporting youth success stories. He then officially proceeded with the disbursement of the grants, celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit and potential of Eswatini’s young people.
“This programme demonstrates that the government is not just funding youth initiatives; we are building partnerships, creating opportunities, and ensuring that young people remain at the centre of national development,” Minister Nzima said.
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