BY NELIWE NGUBANE (INTERN)
MATSAPHA – MTN Eswatini has injected E200 000 into youth-driven digital health innovation, reinforcing its commitment to empowering young entrepreneurs and supporting technology solutions that could transform the country’s healthcare sector.
The investment was announced during the MTN Enactus Digital Wellness Fair, where aspiring innovators showcased a range of digital health solutions designed to tackle real-world healthcare challenges while creating future employment opportunities.
Speaking at the event, MTN Chief Marketing Officer Meshack Maseko praised participants for their creativity, innovation and determination, saying the competition had demonstrated the immense potential that exists among Eswatini’s youth.
“We are impressed by what we have seen here today. The young people who participated in this competition have shown that they can bring about change and develop solutions that address real challenges facing our communities,” said Maseko.
The fair formed part of MTN’s annual 21 Days of Yellow Care campaign, an initiative focused on creating lasting social impact through innovation, community development and youth empowerment.
Maseko emphasized that while only a select number of teams walked away with prize money, every participant should consider themselves a winner.
“Even those who did not win today are winners. They should not give up because their ideas still have value. Some of them could become the next big thing in the future,” he said.
According to Maseko, the innovations presented during the competition have the potential to improve access to healthcare services, enhance patient experiences and provide practical solutions to challenges facing the healthcare system.
He added that the projects could also play a significant role in addressing youth unemployment by creating opportunities within both the technology and healthcare sectors.
“The ideas we have seen here are not only about healthcare. They also have the potential to create jobs and empower young people economically. Innovation and entrepreneurship remain important drivers of economic growth and development,” he said.
The competition culminated in five teams receiving E10 000 each in seed funding to further develop their projects.
The winning teams were Donor Connect, Shift Flow, Lulama Chat Eswatini, Mede Uphoria and Health Connect Eswatini.
Beyond the competition, one of the most notable highlights of the day was the strong participation of young women in technology and innovation.
Judge Thulani Nhlabatsi described the level of female involvement as both encouraging and inspiring, saying it reflected a positive shift within sectors that have traditionally been dominated by men.
“I was very happy to see the level of female participation in the development of these applications. It is highly commendable and shows that women are increasingly taking up space in innovation and technology,” he said.
Nhlabatsi noted that the fair showcased the country’s growing pool of talented innovators who are developing solutions aimed at improving healthcare delivery, mental health support, patient access to information and employment opportunities.
He further encouraged participants not to be discouraged by the final results, stressing that innovation is a journey that requires resilience, learning and continuous improvement.
“Everyone who participated in this fair is a winner. Developing an idea and presenting it before judges takes courage, commitment and hard work. They should all be proud of what they have accomplished,” he said.
The judge also highlighted the importance of platforms such as the MTN Enactus Digital Wellness Fair, saying they create valuable opportunities for mentorship, collaboration and entrepreneurship development among young people.
As Eswatini continues to embrace digital transformation, stakeholders believe initiatives such as the Digital Wellness Fair will play a vital role in nurturing the next generation of innovators capable of driving economic growth while solving some of the country’s most pressing healthcare challenges.
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