“We have a duty to improve the learning conditions to guarantee our youth a brighter future. We call upon all stakeholders to play a significant role in enhancing this sector which plays a vital role in poverty eradication, industrialisation and improved quality of life,” commanded His Majesty King Mswati III in his Speech from the Throne in January 2025.
The words of His Majesty the King capture a national imperative about our duty to the future of Eswatini’s youth.
The Ingwenyama’s emphasis on quality education, free from disruption and compromise, is not simply an aspiration but a necessity in the context of persistent challenges facing our youth, particularly in employment.
The journey towards securing good jobs for young people affects not only their livelihoods, but also the future of the entire country. It is important that I mention the importance of youth in society, refer to the harsh realities of youth unemployment and then offer practical reflections and lessons that Eswatini can draw from both African and European contexts.
Brothers and sisters, wherever you are, allow me to state categorically that young people are the lifeblood of any nation. What have I said? Lifeblood!
In Eswatini, where nearly half the population is under 25, the aspirations and energies of the youth are not only powerful but vital to economic and social progress.
The youth drive innovation, sustain industries, support families and form the backbone of tomorrow’s leadership. When young citizens are valued, educated and empowered within society, the nation reaps long-term rewards – from increased productivity and economic resilience to enhanced social harmony and creativity.
Investment in youth is, therefore, not only a moral duty, as His Majesty so clearly articulated, but a practical one. It is an investment in the stability, prosperity and peace of the country.
Despite the strengths and potential the youth bring, Eswatini faces a worrying crisis, which is high youth unemployment. The reality is sharply illustrated by scenes of the thousands of young emaSwati who were seen queueing for the scarce jobs on offer at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Ezulwini. More than 1 000 job seekers, many having travelled from distant places like Lavumisa and Matsamo, competed for just 50 vacancies.
The traffic congestion around Hilton Garden Inn and KFC, as hopefuls waited from as early as 10am, brought home the intensity of this crisis.
The 2023 Integrated Labour Force Survey (ILFS) paints a sobering picture. It indicates persistent high joblessness and underemployment among youth aged 15–35, especially young women and those living in rural areas. Regional disparities further compound these difficulties. The problem thus goes beyond numbers as it has deep socio-economic and even psychological implications, risking the spread of hopelessness, frustration and wasted potential.
While the national picture may seem dire, it is important to recognise positive government interventions. Government has responded by creating funds specifically targeting youth entrepreneurial projects, helping to nurture self-employment and business innovation. These funds, administered through various ministries, are designed to help the youth generate income.
For instance, youth fund programmes, as well as incentives for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), are intended to provide start-up capital, business training and market support.
These schemes must be applauded, but they can only have the desired impact if young people actively use them and if there are ongoing efforts to raise awareness about their existence and application processes. I urge our young people not to allow bureaucratic hurdles or information gaps to stand in their way. The future belongs to those who put themselves forward with determination and creativity.
Job creation should be a shared responsibility, not just left to government alone. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, working closely with the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA), carries particular responsibility to ensure that investment and industrialisation translate into real employment opportunities for the youth.
A proactive approach, beyond simply attracting large investments, is needed.
Special job creation schemes must be designed to target the skills, interests and needs of the young population.
Government departments should collaborate with the private sector, educational institutions and youth groups to develop internship, apprenticeship and job matching programmes.
Factory Shells in Rural Areas
Another important government strategy involves establishing factory shells in rural areas, designed to stimulate employment and industrial activity outside the main cities. This is a welcome and forward-looking step. Far too many young people are forced to migrate to urban centres in search of jobs, draining the countryside of talent and causing social and economic strain in the cities.
By promoting job creation in the rural areas, government can slow or even reverse rural-urban migration, retain youthful talent in home communities and support more equitable development.
Each new factory shell or enterprise established beyond urban boundaries brings hope to an entire district.
To ensure meaningful progress, government initiatives must be evaluated against clear and measurable targets.
For example, if the objective is to establish two or three companies in each of the 59 tinkhundla, then processes must be put in place to track and support this progress.
This requires not just capital outlays but also entrepreneurship training, infrastructure development and regular assessment. Each success story builds momentum for further investment and job creation.
One of the often-overlooked benefits of youth employment is its role in preventing crime. Where young people are engaged in meaningful work, they are less likely to fall prey to temptations of crime, substance abuse or anti-social behaviour. The link between disillusionment, unemployment and rising crime is well documented in societies across the world.
Eswatini cannot afford to ignore this reality. Creating opportunities is, therefore, not just an economic matter, but a crucial pillar in sustaining peace and order.
The tragic situation in neighbouring South Africa where joblessness has fuelled crime and unrest serves as a stark warning. Many young emaSwati, exposed to South African media and culture, may be drawn into copying bad habits if proper structures of engagement and support are not maintained.
International Lessons
Eswatini is not alone in facing this crisis, nor must she tackle it in isolation. Valuable lessons can be drawn from successful policies implemented elsewhere. Here are three examples, each from Europe or Africa, that could offer practical inspiration:
Germany
Germany’s renowned dual education system blends vocational training with classroom learning. Young people are able to secure apprenticeships while still in school, gaining real experience and stronger job prospects.
The Netherlands
The Dutch Government offers generous start-up schemes and mentorship programmes, supporting young entrepreneurs to establish their own businesses.
Sweden
Sweden runs large-scale, government-funded employment support and reskilling initiatives for unemployed youth, alongside targeted wage subsidies for companies that hire young workers.
Rwanda
The government invested heavily in ICT and entrepreneurship hubs for the youth, particularly through public-private partnerships. The result has been a surge in digital innovation and youth-led SMEs.
Ethiopia
Youth Revolving Funds provide seed capital, with technical support and follow-up, particularly for young women and rural youth wishing to start co-operatives or small businesses.
Ghana
The Youth Employment Agency offers subsidised job placements in public and private sectors, funded skills training and business support, significantly reducing youth unemployment in major cities.
Eswatini can adapt and build on these models by promoting apprenticeships, expanding support for start-ups, strengthening skills training and fostering public-private partnerships.
The case for extensive, urgent and innovative action on youth employment in Eswatini could not be clearer.
As I summarise, the queues outside job interviews at the Hilton Garden Hotel are but one visible manifestation of a problem that touches the entire nation.
The solutions, as outlined above, do exist. MaSwati lamahle, harnessing the energy and ambition of the youth is essential for the country’s sustainable growth and social peace. The King’s words carry a timeless truth that investing in the youth is crucial to poverty eradication, industrialisation and improved quality of life.
All stakeholders, from families, communities, business, government, and even the youth themselves must play their part.
Greater use of government funds for youth businesses, a focus on rural enterprise through factory shells, clear targets for job creation in all tinkhundla and strengthened collaboration with ministries and EIPA can help reverse the tide. Drawing smart lessons from abroad will further strengthen Eswatini’s resolve.
Let us remember that when the youth are engaged, hopeful and productive, the whole country flourishes.
There is no shortcut as hard work, unity and strong leadership will be required.
The time to act is now and the rewards will be felt across generations.
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