Africa-Press – Eswatini. The days of student entrepreneurship being viewed as mere “academic exercises” are officially over.
In a landmark move at the SEDCO Head Office on February 25, 2026, SEDCO and ENACTUS Eswatini signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) specifically designed to transform student projects into high-growth, tax-paying businesses.
The partnership signals a shift in strategy for both organizations: moving away from temporary projects and focusing on the long-term commercialization of youth-led innovation.
ENACTUS Country Director, Sabelo Dlamini, didn’t mince words about the necessity of this shift. With the economy currently creating only 1 000 jobs for every 25 000 graduates, the “wait-and-see” approach is no longer an option.
“We cannot keep training people for jobs that do not exist,” Dlamini stated. “Through this MOU, we are bridging the gap to ensure graduates move from being employees to becoming employers. We are committed to ensuring all programs are scaled to real businesses.”
The collaboration places SEDCO as the primary engine for this transformation. While ENACTUS provides the spark of innovation on campus, SEDCO CEO Khethiwe Mhlanga confirmed that her organisation will provide the professional “scaffolding” needed to turn those ideas into corporate realities.
“When they are at the tertiary level, it is about innovation and doing things they haven’t done before,” Mhlanga explained. “Our role now is to ensure those business proposals are incubated within SEDCO, providing the market linkages and management training required to survive on a global stage.”
The ceremony highlighted Nutri-Plume Eco Solutions (from UNESWA Luyengo Campus) as the blueprint for this new era. Led by CEO Sinegugu Dlamini, the team has moved beyond the “student project” phase by converting waste chicken feathers into premium organic fertilizer.
The MOU aims to take ventures like Nutri-Plume from local operations in Mkulamini and scale them into regional powerhouses. By providing access to advanced business training and industrial incubation, the partnership intends to see these “Swati brands” exported across the Southern African region.
To ensure these new companies survive the volatile market, the agreement also links student CEOs with past Entrepreneur of the Year winners. This direct pipeline to industry veterans ensures that the “Project-to-Business” transition is guided by real-world experience and best practices.
As of today, the goal for Eswatini’s tertiary students is no longer just a degree—it’s a registered, scalable, and sustainable company.
