By Ayanda Dlamini
The Municipal Council of Mbabane (MCM) has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment and inclusive economic growth following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between A Peculiar People (APP) and the Youth Chamber of Commerce and Industries Eswatini (YCCIE).
The Municipality notes that the partnership is fully aligned with the City’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Local Economic Development (LED) priorities.
The City’s IDP identifies Local Economic Development, youth employment, and enterprise development as key strategic pillars, positioning municipalities as critical enablers of economic ecosystems.
The APP–YCCIE MoU was endorsed as a practical LED instrument that links policy, enterprise support, market access, and consumer behaviour, while advancing municipal objectives to support SMEs and youth-owned enterprises, strengthen local value chains, and encourage business formalisation and sustainability.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony and press conference, MCM CEO Gciniwe Fakudze said entrepreneurship remains one of the most effective pathways to inclusive urban growth and reduced youth unemployment.
“This partnership reflects our Integrated Development Plan in action. Municipalities are not just service providers; we are enablers of economic ecosystems. Through structured platforms like YCCIE, we are creating real opportunities for young entrepreneurs to participate meaningfully in the local economy,” said Fakudze.
Fakudze, on behalf of the capital city, officially endorsed the YCCIE Mbabane Chapter as a strategic implementation partner in advancing the IDP.
The Municipal Council of Mbabane initiated the establishment of the National Youth Chamber of Commerce and Industries Eswatini to provide a platform for young entrepreneurs to deliberate on policies and programmes that the government can consider in enabling business growth.
To date, YCCIE has established six chapters in Mbabane, Manzini, Ezulwini, Malkerns, and Mankayane.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MHUD) has recognised these chapters and is working with local authorities to mobilise resources, while MCM continues to support youth-focused programmes through its IDP.
Fakudze further urged Young entrepreneurs to utilise YCCIE, now formally recognised by authorities, and align their enterprises with national policy frameworks for relevance and ease of support.
Existing youth partnerships include Junior Achievement, the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund, SEDCO, and Limkokwing University.
Fakudze also recognised Made in Eswatini Consumer Fair as a structured market-access intervention and economic stimulus aligned with Mbabane’s Events Strategy.
The City officially affirmed its role as Official Partner and Host City for the Fair from 2026 to 2028, confirming Dr Sishayi Street as the venue and 25 April as the annual date, subject to due municipal approvals.
“By institutionalising an annual economic platform, businesses gain predictability to plan, grow and scale,” Fakudze added.
She further encouraged the youth to engage structured platforms, align enterprise development with market demand, and leverage partnerships such as APP and YCCIE, while assuring stakeholders of Mbabane’s continued commitment to an enabling environment for youth-led enterprise.
“Through partnerships such as this, we move from policy to impact, and from intention to implementation,” she concluded.