BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
MBABANE– The Municipal Council of Mbabane is playing a pivotal role in advancing youth entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth through strategic partnerships.
Speaking at the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony and press conference between A Peculiar People (APP) and the Youth Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Eswatini (YCCIE) on 12 January 2026, Municipal Council Chief Executive Officer Gciniwe Fakudze reaffirmed the council’s commitment to local economic development. She said entrepreneurship remains one of the most effective pathways to inclusive urban growth and reduced youth unemployment.
Fakudze highlighted that Mbabane’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) prioritises Local Economic Development, youth employment, and enterprise development. “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,” she said.
She encouraged 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 creating an enabling environment for youth-led enterprises. “Through partnerships such as this, we move from policy to impact, and from intention to implementation,” she concluded.
Her Royal Highness Princess Sakhizwe commended Mbabane for embracing partnerships that place youth, innovation, and local economic development at the centre. She said the collaboration aligns with the city’s goals of inclusive growth, job creation, and economic empowerment.
The Princess also highlighted the Made in Eswatini initiative, encouraging collaboration between youth-led enterprises and established organisations. She described the MoU as a “generational blueprint” aimed at ensuring national wealth supports local talent and enterprises.
Through such engagements, the Municipal Council of Mbabane is reinforcing the role of cities in national development by supporting local businesses, empowering young entrepreneurs, and fostering sustainable economic growth.
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