Africa-Press – Eswatini. In a world where opportunities are increasingly shaped by innovation and self-reliance, the youth of Eswatini are facing a pivotal choice: wait in long lines for jobs that may never come or build their own path through entrepreneurship.
With youth unemployment hovering around 58% nationally, and even higher in rural areas, relying solely on job-seeking is proving ineffective. Instead, the time has come for young Emaswati to embrace business ownership as a powerful tool for empowerment, transformation, and national development.
A NATION SUPPORTING YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS
Government, in alignment with His Majesty King Mswati III’s visionary leadership, has rolled out a range of initiatives to ensure that youth are not left behind. One of the most impactful programmes is the Eswatini Youth Empowerment Programme (EYEP), launched in 2022 with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This initiative offers two main tracks: graduate placement with mentorship, and artisanal training for aspiring entrepreneurs.
The graduate placement component helps match university graduates with public and private sector employers, providing six-month internships with monthly stipends. The vocational track, meanwhile, equips young people with skills in trades such as sewing, carpentry, electrical work, and construction. Graduates receive tools, business development training, and startup kits to launch their own enterprises. EYEP also offers focused academies in sustainable energy, tech and robotics, and entrepreneurship.
With a bold goal of reducing youth unemployment by 50% by 2030, EYEP is just one part of a broader national movement.
ACCESS TO STARTUP CAPITAL: YOUTH ENTERPRISE REVOLVING FUND (YERF)
Understanding that access to capital is often the biggest hurdle for young entrepreneurs, the Government established the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund (YERF). This fund provides collateral-free loans to youth aged 18 to 35. Individuals can receive up to E50 000, while cooperatives can access as much as E200 000.
A new product under this fund, known as “MTN YERF Khula Natsi,” offers short-term loans ranging from E5 000 to E30 000 for youth with existing businesses who want to grow. Repayment terms are flexible, and the application process is designed to be accessible even to first-time entrepreneurs.
To date, YERF has disbursed over E23 million in loans, supporting nearly 500 youth-led businesses across the kingdom.
PRIVATE SECTOR AND DEVELOPMENT PARTNER SUPPORT
The private sector and development partners are also playing a crucial role. The Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) has partnered with UNDP to offer startup incubation, training, and seed capital. Twenty-nine young entrepreneurs have already benefited from this initiative.
Take Sandile Mavuso, for example. What began as a kombucha brewing experiment in his kitchen transformed into a full-scale factory operation. With E135 000 in startup capital from UNDP and an additional E100 000 loan from YERF, Sandile grew his company, Sibongile Beverages, and landed a retail deal with OK Foods. He even represented Eswatini at the 2024 Taipei International Food Show, showcasing how local ideas can have global impact.
Another success story is Duncan Dlamini, who runs a large-scale piggery under DJD Investments. With funding and mentorship, his enterprise grew to supply major supermarkets like Boxer and OK Foods. Today, he employs over 24 people and has secured over E2.8 million from Eswatini Bank for expansion.
In the philanthropic space, the Kirsh Foundation has been instrumental, having supported over 14 000 micro-businesses in Eswatini through micro-loans and training, with an impressive 70% success rate. The majority of beneficiaries have been women, further driving inclusive economic growth.
WHY STARTING A BUSINESS IS A BETTER BET
So why should young people start businesses rather than seek jobs? The benefits are clear:
Self-reliance: You control your destiny. Instead of waiting, you act.
Job creation: Entrepreneurs employ others, building stronger communities.
Flexibility and innovation: You solve real problems and create meaningful solutions.
Personal growth: Business owners develop leadership, problem-solving, and money management skills.
Long-term prosperity: Unlike salary caps in employment, businesses have limitless potential.
Moreover, entrepreneurship restores dignity. It transforms young people from passive job seekers into active contributors to the nation’s economy.
THE KING’S VISION: EMPOWERING YOUTH, BUILDING A STRONGER ESWATINI
His Majesty King Mswati III has consistently championed the empowerment of young people. In his 2024 Speech from the Throne, the King emphasized that youth must be empowered to become architects of the country’s future. He called on government and stakeholders to intensify efforts to create financing opportunities, expand access to skills development, and support SMEs as the backbone of national growth.
This vision is firmly rooted in Eswatini’s National Development Strategy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
The United Nations in Eswatini praised His Majesty’s strong focus on youth empowerment, especially the push toward increasing digital skills, vocational training, and enterprise development. Government, in turn, has committed to ongoing support through mechanisms like the Youth Fund, the Regional Development Fund, and Export Guarantee Schemes.
A CALL TO ACTION: BUILD, DON’T WAIT
To the youth of Eswatini: now is your moment. The tools, training, and financial support are available. The success stories are real. The vision is clear.
Don’t wait for a job. Create your own. Become an employer. Become a solution. And most importantly, become a builder of Eswatini’s brighter tomorrow.
Source: Eswatini Positive News – News Website
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