By Nomsa Dlamini (Intern)
EZULWINI – The Government of Eswatini, through the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, has called for stronger partnerships with the private sector and development agencies to confront the country’s youth unemployment crisis head-on by investing in skills development, apprenticeships, and inclusive economic opportunities.
This was the key message delivered by Thabile Mlangeni, speaking on behalf of the Minister for Economic Planning and Development, Dr. Tambo Gina, during the EYEP-CIC Internship Programme Recognition and Stakeholder Engagement Ceremony held at Happy Valley Hotel.
The event celebrated the graduation of young professionals who completed a transformative internship programme under the Eswatini Youth Empowerment Programme (EYEP), a collaboration between the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Mlangeni hailed the initiative as a model of “partnership in action,” commending CIC, UNDP, and the host construction firms for their shared leadership in launching and sustaining the internship programme. “Each graduate represents a family’s hope, a nation’s investment, and a global development goal in motion,” she said.
With nearly 70% of Eswatini’s population under the age of 35, the Minister’s statement emphasized that the country stands at a crossroads, either harness its youthful population as a demographic dividend or risk worsening unemployment and exclusion. The current youth unemployment rate stands at 59.1%, with over a quarter of youth aged 15–24 not in education, employment, or training.
The construction Industry, Mlangeni noted, holds significant potential for change. “It remains a vital sector for youth skills development and job creation,” she said, describing the EYEP-CIC programme as an investment in national resilience and a powerful example of what targeted support and training can achieve.
The Government pledged to revive the culture of apprenticeships and incentivize the private sector through tax benefits, recognition schemes, and co-funded training initiatives. “We believe this model can and must be revitalized,” she added.
The Minister also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment through real investments, including E150 million allocated for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and over E60 million directed toward youth enterprises and innovation.
As the country moves forward, Mlangeni stressed that inter-ministerial coordination and impact tracking will be key. “Let us build together not just for employment, but for empowerment. Not just for today, but for the Eswatini we know is possible,” she concluded.
