BY LINDELWA MYENI
MBABANE –A total of 41 young entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 34 have applied for the Ingelo Certification Scheme as of the September 25, 2026 deadline, seeking business development support to strengthen locally produced products and expand their access to wider markets.
The programme is targeting 20 youth-led businesses whose locally produced products have potential to grow, create employment and reach formal and semi-formal markets.
Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO) Centre Manager Zakhele Masuku said the scheme is open to young business owners whose products demonstrate potential for scalability.
He said qualifying products may include both food and non-food items, provided they are locally produced and have the potential to expand.
Examples of eligible food products include chilli sauce and peanut butter, while non-food products may include cosmetics and liquid soap.
Masuku said the programme is designed to support businesses with growth potential by helping entrepreneurs improve their products and prepare them for wider markets.
Selected entrepreneurs will receive support in areas including product development, business mentorship, commercialisation and market readiness.
The support will also cover product quality improvement, production processes and practices, food safety, packaging and branding.
Masuku said the assistance is intended to help participating businesses improve how their products are developed and positioned for formal and semi-formal markets.
He explained that applicants were only required to submit a completed application form during the application stage, with no additional documentation required.
Masuku said the applications will be assessed using established criteria, including the scalability of each product, its potential to create employment opportunities in the future and whether the product is locally produced.
The applicant’s willingness to receive capacity-building support under the programme will also form part of the assessment.
Masuku said applicants will be notified of the outcome once the assessment process has been completed.
The programme does not require entrepreneurs to pay an application or joining fee, allowing qualifying businesses to participate without an entry cost.
The Ingelo Certification Scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade through ESWASA and SEDCO, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the Eswatini Youth Empowerment Programme (EYEP).
The selected youth-led businesses are expected to receive practical support aimed at strengthening their products, improving business operations and preparing them for broader market opportunities.
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(Courtesy Pic)
