BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MBABANE– As thousands of young people across Eswatini continue searching for employment opportunities, a new initiative is encouraging them to create their own futures by transforming environmental challenges into profitable business ventures.
The Youth Sustainable Development Centre (YSDC) has launched an ambitious programme designed to empower young people with the skills, knowledge and support needed to build businesses that not only generate income but also help protect the environment.
The initiative, titled “Cultivating the Green Economy: Empowering Youth Entrepreneurs for a Sustainable Eswatini,” is being implemented under the Eswatini Green Growth Accelerator and aims to tackle two pressing national concerns at once: youth unemployment and climate change.
For many young emaSwati with innovative ideas but limited opportunities, the programme could provide a pathway from uncertainty to entrepreneurship.
Speaking during an interview on Eswatini TV’s Market View programme on May 25, 2026, YSDC Director Nokuthula Mamba said the initiative was inspired by findings in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) 2.0 report, which identified low youth participation in climate action and green innovation despite young people being among the most affected by environmental and economic challenges.
“We want young people to see themselves not only as job seekers but as solution providers and business creators,” said Mamba.
According to her, the green economy offers significant opportunities for young entrepreneurs to develop businesses that address environmental issues while generating sustainable livelihoods. Such enterprises may include renewable energy solutions, waste recycling, sustainable agriculture, eco-friendly products and climate-smart technologies.
The urgency of the programme is underscored by youth unemployment figures, which remain among the country’s biggest socio-economic challenges.
Mamba revealed that nearly half of Eswatini’s young population is currently unemployed.
“About 49 percent of young people in Eswatini are unemployed. By supporting green businesses, we believe young entrepreneurs can create jobs for themselves and others while contributing to national development goals,” she said.
Beyond providing motivation, the programme will offer practical support tailored specifically for environmentally focused businesses. Participants will receive specialised training covering business planning, sustainability practices, climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, innovation, market access and business growth.
Mamba noted that many aspiring entrepreneurs possess creativity and passion but often lack the technical knowledge needed to successfully operate and expand a green enterprise.
“Many young business owners have never received training on how to run a green business. This programme fills that gap by equipping them with the skills necessary to turn ideas into viable and profitable ventures,” she explained.
Access to finance is another hurdle the programme hopes to address. Many promising startups struggle to attract investment or secure funding, resulting in businesses closing before they have a chance to grow.
To help overcome this challenge, YSDC plans to connect participants with funding opportunities and strengthen their capacity to engage financial institutions and development partners.
“Many young entrepreneurs abandon their businesses after a few years because of limited support and market opportunities. We want to help them build enterprises that can survive and thrive,” said Mamba.
The initiative also seeks to inspire broader societal change by encouraging consumers to support environmentally responsible products and services. By creating demand for sustainable solutions, YSDC hopes to strengthen the entire green business ecosystem.
For Mamba, the message is simple: climate action and economic empowerment can go hand in hand.
“We have spent years talking about climate challenges. Now it is time to transform those solutions into opportunities that create value and improve people’s lives,” she said.
As Eswatini advances towards a greener and more resilient economy, the programme offers young people an opportunity to become active participants in shaping that future—proving that environmental sustainability is not only about protecting nature, but also about unlocking economic opportunities, creating jobs and building stronger communities.
(Courtesy Pic)
