Africa-Press – Eswatini. Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has expressed Eswatini’s determination to strengthen its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector through closer collaboration with Ethiopia, after touring that country’s facilities on Wednesday, 10 September 2025.
The Prime Minister, who is currently in Addis Ababa for the Africa Climate Summit, visited several Ethiopian TVET institutions to gain first-hand insight into the East African nation’s skills development framework. He said Eswatini stood to benefit from Ethiopia’s advanced TVET model, which has been widely recognised across the continent for its scale and impact.
Ethiopia has built one of Africa’s most extensive TVET systems over the past two decades. With thousands of centres spread across the country, it trains millions of young people annually in trades ranging from engineering and construction to agriculture and information technology. The Ethiopian government has prioritised TVET as a driver of industrialisation, linking training programmes to national development strategies and private sector needs.
In contrast, Eswatini’s TVET system remains comparatively small and under-resourced. While institutions such as the Eswatini College of Technology and other vocational centres continue to produce skilled graduates, challenges remain. These include outdated equipment, limited funding, a mismatch between training and industry demand, and low enrolment figures compared to national youth unemployment rates.
Dlamini was reported as saying that Ethiopia’s success offered valuable lessons for Eswatini. He emphasised the importance of aligning vocational training with economic priorities and of investing in modern facilities to ensure that young people acquire relevant skills for today’s job market.
“We need to empower our youth with practical skills that will drive Eswatini’s growth,” he noted, adding that Ethiopia had demonstrated how TVET could be a catalyst for reducing unemployment and spurring industrial progress.
The Prime Minister confirmed that Eswatini would explore partnerships with Ethiopian institutions, focusing on exchange programmes, curriculum development, and capacity building for educators. He also underscored the need for regional collaboration in boosting technical skills, particularly in light of Africa’s growing demand for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Education analysts have long argued that strengthening TVET is essential for Eswatini’s economic diversification. By drawing inspiration from Ethiopia’s model, Eswatini hopes to create a more robust and responsive system capable of preparing its youth for both domestic and global opportunities.
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