BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
MBABANE – A Peculiar People (APP) and the Youth Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Eswatini (YCCIE) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating youth entrepreneurship and promoting local production.
The signing ceremony, held at the American Corner on 12 January 2026, formalised a strategic partnership aimed at placing Swati-made products at the center of the nation’s economic and policy priorities.
The MoU is based on the Made in Eswatini Strategic Compass 2026–2028, themed “Fuelling the Next Generation of Job Creators,” and aims to give young innovators the skills and opportunities to transform Eswatini’s economy.
APP Chairman Melusi “Zox” Dlamini described the agreement as a foundation rather than a destination, stressing that development cannot happen when generations work in silos. He highlighted that the partnership will provide platforms for youth-led ideas to be tested, scaled, and transformed into viable businesses, offering young entrepreneurs access to funding, markets, and critical exposure.
Dlamini reported that following the Unlock Made in Eswatini engagement held at the UN House last year, more than 220 local brands have already registered interest in participating in this year’s fair. He added that APP has also established concrete partnerships with youth-led enterprises that will play a key role in delivering and scaling the initiative, providing the operational and technical support necessary for long-term success.
The President of YCCIE, Sakhile Nsibandze, said the organization’s mission is to identify talent, aggregate local demand, and deliver high-impact programs for young entrepreneurs. She noted that YCCIE aims to expand these initiatives across all regions of the country this year, ensuring that every young entrepreneur has access to local support and effective representation. Nsibandze further commended A Peculiar People and specifically Dlamini for his results-driven approach and commitment to implementing the program.
The MoU aims to create a structured environment for domestic production and market access, advancing the broader vision of building a globally recognized Made in Eswatini brand. By fostering youth entrepreneurship across multiple sectors, the partnership seeks to encourage consumers to consistently choose local products while leveraging international opportunities, including engagements in Sandton, South Africa, and AFRICON in Atlanta, to showcase Swati innovation on the world stage.
Speaking at the signing, Her Royal Highness Princess Sakhizwe described the partnership as a “generational blueprint” addressing capital flight through import substitution. She emphasized that collaboration between youth-led enterprises and established organizations can unlock opportunities and create meaningful value for the next generation of business leaders.
By the conclusion of the strategic cycle in December 2028, APP and YCCIE aim to establish a self-sustaining economic and cultural ecosystem, creating sustainable employment and ensuring that the next generation of Eswatini’s youth becomes active participants and true job creators in the national economy.
