By Phiwa Sikhondze
To address the dual challenges of youth unemployment and food insecurity, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Food Program (WFP), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) hosted a significant dialogue in Eswatini.
The event, which is part of the UN’s “Bring Your Fire Live Dialogues,” brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, industry experts, and youth representatives, to discuss and devise innovative strategies aimed at empowering the nation’s youth and promoting sustainable development.
With a staggering 70% of Eswatini’s population under the age of 35, the urgency to create meaningful job opportunities for young people is more pressing than ever. Sakhile Shabangu, a Governance Advocacy Associate and moderator of the dialogue from the UNDP, underscored the critical nature of the situation, stating, “We have high youth unemployment and food insecurity. This dialogue aims to explore how we can navigate these challenges together.”
Mluleki Dlamini, Director of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Trade, highlighted the significant role small businesses play in job creation.
He pointed out that a quarter of the 69,000 SMEs in Eswatini are operated by the youth, yet these enterprises face hurdles in financing and scaling.
“Currently, about a quarter of the 69,000 SMEs in Eswatini are operated by youth. However, these businesses often struggle with financing and scaling,” he explained.
Dlamini urged financial institutions to allocate resources to youth-led businesses and called on the government to provide capacity-building support.
Agriculture remains a crucial, yet underexploited, sector in Eswatini’s economy, particularly among young entrepreneurs. Howard Mbuyisa, Director of the Eswatini Agriculture Development Fund, noted the low participation of youth in agriculture and emphasized the government’s goal of achieving food abundance and wealth for EmaSwati.
“For a country like ours, agricultural sector engagement is crucial. The government aims for food abundance and wealth for EmaSwati, and young people play a key role in achieving this vision,” Mbuyisa stated.
He outlined several initiatives designed to foster youth involvement in agriculture, such as the Eswatini Agriculture Integrated Information System, which offers valuable data on profitable value chains and market opportunities.
The dialogue also shed some light on the importance of vocational training in bridging the skills gap. Bongani Langa from Young Heroes stressed the need for collaboration between the government, educational institutions, and businesses to ensure that vocational training is aligned with industry needs, thereby preparing youth for the workforce and entrepreneurship.
The event was marked by active participation from young attendees, particularly from the Luyengo Campus students, who engaged with the panelists and expressed a deep concern for their future and a desire to contribute to the nation’s development. Discussions touched on practical steps to secure land for young farmers, with Mbuyisa affirming the government’s commitment
The dialogue concluded on an optimistic note, with a collective acknowledgment of the immense potential of Eswatini’s youth to drive the country’s development. By tackling barriers to financing, improving access to land, and enhancing vocational training, there is a strong belief that Eswatini can empower its youth and secure a sustainable future.