BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE– The Government of Eswatini, through the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, has launched the Youth 4 Change Project, a youth empowerment initiative aimed at tackling unemployment by equipping young people with practical skills, digital competencies and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Speaking during the launch of the project at Mountain View in Mbabane on June 19, 2026, Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima said the initiative reflected Government’s commitment to investing in the country’s greatest asset – its young people.
The project is being implemented through a partnership between UNICEF, Young Heroes and the Eswatini National Youth Council (ENYC), targeting young people aged between 15 and 35 years, particularly those who are out of school.
Nzima said although young people continued to demonstrate immense potential in sectors such as business, sports, arts, culture, technology and community development, many still faced significant barriers, including unemployment, limited access to skills development opportunities and challenges in transitioning from education into meaningful employment.
He said the Youth 4 Change Project was designed to address these challenges through practical interventions that would empower young people to become productive, self-reliant and active citizens.
According to the minister, the initiative will provide digital learning pathways, mentorship, work-readiness programmes, community engagement opportunities and access to the Youth Agency Marketplace on the YOMA digital platform.
He said participants would earn digital credentials and gain practical experience that would strengthen their employability while creating pathways towards entrepreneurship and economic participation.
Nzima noted that the programme complemented existing Government priorities and aligned with the National Youth Policy as well as the recently launched National Youth Development Coordination Framework, which seeks to strengthen collaboration among institutions involved in youth development.
He said the project was developed through extensive consultations involving Government ministries, development partners, academic institutions, TVET colleges, civil society organisations, local authorities and private sector stakeholders.
The minister further highlighted the importance of digital technology in modern development, saying young people needed to acquire technological skills and digital competencies to remain competitive both locally and internationally.
He commended UNICEF, Young Heroes and the ENYC for their partnership and commitment towards improving the lives of young people.
Nzima also called on private sector companies to support the initiative through internships, mentorship programmes and employment opportunities, saying sustainable youth development required strong partnerships between Government, development partners, businesses and communities.
He urged young people to take full advantage of the opportunities provided through the programme, describing it as a platform created to help them realise their full potential and become agents of positive change within their communities.
Declaring the project officially launched, Nzima expressed confidence that the initiative would deliver measurable outcomes for thousands of young people across the country.
He said by investing in skills development, digital innovation and entrepreneurship, the programme would not only improve livelihoods but also contribute to national economic growth, urging all stakeholders to work together to transform the Youth 4 Change Project into a catalyst for lasting change and opportunity for Eswatini’s youth.
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(Courtesy Pic)
