… Government Launches State of the Youth Report 2026 as Blueprint for National Development
BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MANZINI – Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has called for intensified national investment in education, skills development, innovation and job creation, declaring that Eswatini’s young people are the country’s greatest competitive advantage and the driving force behind future economic growth and national prosperity.
Speaking during the launch of the State of the Youth Report 2026 in Manzini on Thursday, the Prime Minister urged Government, the private sector, development partners, civil society and communities to unite behind a common vision of empowering young people through quality education, employment opportunities and strong moral values.
The landmark report, unveiled under the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs in collaboration with key stakeholders, presents the most comprehensive assessment of youth development in the Kingdom in almost a decade. It is expected to guide future Government planning, policy formulation and investment in programmes aimed at improving the lives of emaSwati youth.
Addressing delegates, the Prime Minister described the report as more than a collection of statistics, saying it provides an honest reflection of the country’s progress while highlighting areas that still require urgent attention.
He commended Government ministries, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector and young people themselves for contributing to the report, saying the collaborative approach demonstrated a shared commitment to building a stronger future for Eswatini.
The State of the Youth Report provides valuable evidence on where the nation stands. It highlights achievements, identifies challenges and equips decision-makers with the information needed to formulate better policies for the benefit of young people.
The report records encouraging progress in several key sectors, including high youth literacy levels, increasing participation of young people in entrepreneurship, improved health outcomes and growing representation of youth in leadership and decision-making structures.
The Prime Minister said these achievements demonstrate that Government’s continued investment in young people is beginning to produce positive results.
However, he stressed that much more still needs to be done to unlock the full potential of Eswatini’s youth.
“This report reminds us that the youth of Eswatini are not a burden, but a national asset, indeed, one of our greatest competitive advantages. To realise this potential, we must continue to invest strategically in education, skills development, innovation and employment creation,” he said.
Dlamini reaffirmed His Majesty’s Government’s commitment to creating more opportunities for young people by expanding investments in education, technical and vocational training, entrepreneurship support and digital skills development.
He said Government would also strengthen programmes aimed at reducing inequality while improving health services and the overall social wellbeing of young people.
“His Majesty’s Government remains steadfast in its commitment to expanding opportunities for youth employment, entrepreneurship and innovation. We shall continue to invest in education, technical and vocational training, and digital skills, while strengthening interventions that address inequality, health and social wellbeing,” he said.
Beyond economic empowerment, Dlamini emphasised that national development cannot succeed without a strong moral foundation.
He urged young people to embrace the Kingdom’s enduring cultural values of respect, humility, buntfu, hard work, patriotism and commitment to education, saying these values form the foundation of sustainable development and national unity.
He further observed that while policy interventions and development programmes remain important, they must be accompanied by ethical leadership and responsible citizenship.
“Beyond policy and programmes, we must give equal prominence to the moral and cultural foundation of our nation. The success of any development agenda depends not only on opportunity, but on character,” he said.
The Prime Minister also welcomed the establishment of national and community coordination structures that will oversee implementation of the report’s recommendations, ensuring its findings are translated into measurable outcomes.
“This launch must not be seen as an end, but as the beginning of renewed and collective action,” he said.
Calling for unity across all sectors of society, Dlamini urged stakeholders to transform evidence into policy, policy into action and action into tangible improvements in the lives of young people.
“The future of Eswatini rests in the choices we make today. By investing wisely in our youth, grounded in strong values and guided by clear evidence, we will secure a prosperous, stable and resilient nation for generations to come,” he concluded.
The launch of the State of the Youth Report 2026 marks a significant milestone in Eswatini’s youth development agenda and provides Government with an updated evidence base to shape future policies and programmes.
