…Insights from the National Skills Anticipation Report
By Own Correspondent
With a median age of 22.2 years and 40 per cent of its population under 15 years old the Kingdom of Eswatini boasts one of the youngest demographics globally. This youthful populace represents a significant opportunity to harness a demographic dividend by cultivating a workforce, entrepreneurs, industrialists, and business leaders with skills aligned to modern industry needs. However, many young emaSwati currently lack the skills and competencies required by today’s technology driven economy. Recognising the pivotal role of human capital in driving economic growth and innovation. The government and its social partners continues to invest considerable resources to enhance education, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities nationwide.
Against this background, the groundbreaking National Skills Anticipation Report (NSAR) was launched on Thursday 27th March 2025, at a highly successful event hosted by the Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC) at the Royal Villas in Ezulwini.
The NSAR was produced by the ESHEC in collaboration with ESEPARC and the Taiwan Technical Mission. The report follows the 2021 National Skills Audit and presents a forward-looking approach to aligning education with labour market demands. The model predicts unemployment trends in shrinking industries, aiding workforce planning. The Report provides detailed skill demand projections, identifies shortages, and offers a clear plan to align workforce development with economic needs.
A major highlight of the NSAR is the rising demand for soft skills alongside technical expertise. Employers across industries emphasise that communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and teamwork are essential for career success. Sectors such as tourism, retail, and finance face challenges in finding candidates with strong customer service and leadership skills, which are critical for business growth.
The Report was launched by Minister of Education and Training Owen Nxumalo in the event that was attended by a cross-section of participants including representatives from government, the private sector, Higher Education Institutions, and students.
“The NSAR offers a thorough analysis of Eswatini’s labour market and industry trends and the evolving demand for skills for the future across key sectors. It resonates with the views expressed by the nation during Sibaya, and also the clarion call by His Majesty King Mswati III for quick transformative actions under the NKWE mandate,” said Minister Nxumalo.
“The Report aligns with the National Development Plan and the Government’s Strategic Roadmap as it provides invaluable insights for policymakers, educators, employers, entrepreneurs and workers as Eswatini gears itself for future economic and societal advancements.”
Principal Secretary Antony Masilela representing the Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi, commended the MoET for its commitment to addressing the critical skills gap.
“Every unemployed young person represents a lost opportunity, not just for them, but for our nation. With insights from the NSAR, it is crucial that educational institutions align their curricula with the needs of the labour market. We must work together with employers to produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also equipped with practical skills for success,” he said.
Phiwayinkhosi Ginindza, the Chairperson of the ESHEC Board thanked ESEPARC and the Taiwan Technical Mission for the partnership.
“The Report guides ESHEC in accrediting institutions to match industry needs. Next, we’ll introduce micro-credentials to boost employability,” Ginindza said.
“We urge industry leaders to engage with us—only through collaboration can we align education with market needs and prepare a globally competitive workforce.”
Eswatini continues to struggle with a high skills mismatch index, as reported by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Engineering and other technical fields remain underrepresented in the country’s workforce, limiting national growth potential. While youth unemployment has dropped from 58.2 per cent in 2021 to 48.7 per cent, the need for proactive policies to sustain this improvement, cannot be over emphasised.
ESHEC CEO Dr. Loretta Mkhonta said a new survey to see how short courses (micro-credentials) can help people learn specific skills quickly was on the cards.
She stressed that primary, secondary, high school, and tertiary education should be aligned with industry trends to equip graduates with relevant skills for a seamless transition into the workforce.
“The NSAR also integrates government economic plans, projecting the skills needed for key national projects. By fostering synergy between education, industry, and policy, this strategic approach supports economic growth and strengthens the country’s capacity to meet emerging industry demands. The report also looks at future job trends and the skills needed for big national projects. By bringing education, businesses, and government together, this plan will help grow the economy and create more opportunities for workers,” she said.
Dr. Thabo Sacolo, Executive Director of ESEPARC, highlighted the transformative impact of the NSAR, describing it as a game-changer. The report equips institutions of higher learning with valuable insights to proactively design curricula that align with future labour market demands, ensuring graduates possess the skills needed in an evolving economy. Additionally, industry players stand to benefit as the predictive model enables them to anticipate shifts in workforce requirements and strategically plan for emerging skills, fostering innovation and sustainable growth.
Speaking earlier, Mazambane Dlamini representing the Taiwan Technical Mission, emphasised the Report’s crucial role in the Technical and Vocational Skills Certification Enhancements Project. Describing it as a game-changer, they highlighted how its recommendations guide future initiatives and help the government and partners showcase Eswatini’s TVET sector’s growth potential to funders. “The Report offers clear evidence of critical skill development areas, reinforcing the need for ongoing investment,” he said.
In an interview, the CEO of Business Eswatini, E. Nathi Dlamini, representing the private sector, voiced the frustration of employers.
“We desperately need technical skills. Engineers, artisans, digital specialists—these are the jobs of the future, and the future is now. But our higher education institutions continue to produce graduates in fields that are no longer aligned to the rapidly changing industrial landscape. It’s time, and perhaps long overdue, that we speedily realign our training offering with the realities of the harsh job market,” Dlamini said.
Presenting the study, ESEPARC’s Tengetile Hlophe stressed that the accuracy of the Report’s projections depends on economic growth and the successful rollout of government-led industry development projects. She also highlighted the need to break cultural and social stereotypes that restrict certain jobs to specific sexes, emphasising that achieving real progress requires prioritising gender equity and shifting societal attitudes.
A key takeaway from the discussion was the growing demand for soft skills alongside technical expertise. Employers across industries highlighted communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and teamwork as crucial for career success. Many sectors, including tourism, retail, and finance, struggle to find candidates with strong customer service and leadership skills—both essential for business growth.
A Focus on Lifelong Learning
To address these emerging challenges, the Report underscores the importance of lifelong learning. Upskilling and reskilling opportunities are critical not only for workers and entrepreneurs but also for employers striving to maintain competitiveness.
Educational and training systems in Eswatini play a pivotal role in aligning workforce and entrepreneurship skills with economic and social demands. Key areas of focus include:
- Expanding training programmes and opportunities for priority sectors like science, engineering, IT, healthcare, and the creative and social sciences as they are the key skills needed to drive Eswatini’s job market over the next eight years.
- Promoting soft skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership, and cross-sector skills like project management, data analysis, and marketing.
- Regular updates to labour market forecasts, stronger government-industry-education partnerships. Encouraging cross-sector skills like project management, data analysis, and marketing.
- Expanding STEM and vocational training, supporting job creation and entrepreneurship, and promoting green skills and sustainable industries are also essential measures.
BUILDING A FUTURE-READY WORKFORCE, ENTREPRENEURS
The NSAR provides a clear roadmap for addressing Eswatini’s labour market and entrepreneurship challenges. By fostering a culture of continuous learning, promoting innovation, and investing in skills development, Eswatini can build a workforce and cadre of entrepreneurs that is not only resilient but also ready to thrive in a changing world.
Sector-Specific Findings and Recommendations
The Report spells out key sectors requiring urgent skills development interventions:
- Agriculture and Forestry: Skills in climate-smart agriculture, biotechnology, and value chain management are critical. Only 20% of employers in the sector are considering automation, highlighting the need for digital transformation.
- Mining & Energy: The sector struggles with gender imbalance (72% male, 28% female), and many technical skills are outsourced due to local training gaps.
- Manufacturing: Despite contributing 30% to GDP, most employees occupy low-wage positions. Skills in industrial automation, food safety, and Artificial Intelligence-driven quality control are needed.
- Tourism: With a 23.9% contribution to GDP, this industry requires skills in digital marketing, technology integration, and cultural liaison.
- ICT and Education: Eswatini’s push to train more women in ICT is bearing fruit, but continuous upskilling is necessary to remain competitive in a digital economy.
The report also highlights scarce skills such as advanced manufacturing, electrification, hybrid technology, sustainability engineering, digital marketing, and legal compliance.
