…Minister Nzima says Eswatini must harness its demographic dividend by investing in youth
BY MBONO MDLULI
MANZINI – Eswatini Government has made a commitment to placing young people at the centre of national development through the Youth Connekt Eswatini initiative, a platform designed to connect youth to opportunities, skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership.
Speaking during the Youth Connekt Eswatini Framework Validation Workshop held at the George Hotel in Manzini on Thursday, June 18, 2026, Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Hon. Bongani Nzima described the initiative as a significant step towards building a productive, empowered, innovative and engaged youth population.
The workshop brought together representatives from Government ministries, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Eswatini National Youth Council (ENYC), development partners, academia, civil society organisations and the private sector to review and validate the framework before its implementation.
Youth Are Eswatini’s Greatest Asset
Addressing delegates, Nzima said Eswatini’s youthful population presents a unique opportunity to accelerate economic growth and social transformation.
“Approximately 73 percent of our population is below the age of 35. This presents us with both a challenge and an enormous opportunity. Our young people are not simply beneficiaries of development; they are our country’s greatest asset and the driving force behind future economic growth, innovation and social transformation,” he said.
The Minister noted that findings from the recently launched State of the Youth Report confirmed that young people remain the largest demographic group in the country and will continue to shape Eswatini’s future for years to come.
He said investing in youth today would enable the country to fully harness its demographic dividend while accelerating national development.
“It is against this background that the Youth Connekt Eswatini initiative becomes both relevant and timely,” said Nzima.
Connecting Youth to Opportunities
According to the Minister, the framework seeks to address barriers that continue to prevent many young people from accessing education, employment opportunities, finance, markets and information.
He said particular attention would be given to young people living in rural communities who often face greater challenges in accessing opportunities.
“Through Youth Connekt Eswatini, we seek to bridge these gaps by creating stronger connections between young people and the opportunities available to them,” he said.
The initiative is built around five strategic pillars: access to opportunities, skills and employability, entrepreneurship and innovation, participation and inclusion, and youth engagement.
Preparing Youth for the Future
Nzima emphasised the importance of equipping young people with future-ready skills as technology continues to reshape economies around the world.
He said the framework promotes skills development, mentorship, entrepreneurship education and digital literacy to ensure young people are prepared for opportunities emerging from the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“As technology continues to transform the global economy, we must ensure that our youth are equipped with future-ready skills,” he said.
The Minister added that entrepreneurship remains one of the most effective pathways for addressing youth unemployment and creating sustainable livelihoods.
Through Youth Connekt Eswatini, Government hopes to create an enabling environment that supports innovation, enterprise development, access to finance and business growth.
“This will allow young entrepreneurs not only to create jobs for themselves but also for others,” he said.
Giving Youth a Voice
The framework also seeks to strengthen youth participation in decision-making processes and ensure that young people play an active role in shaping policies and programmes that affect their lives.
Nzima stressed that youth voices must remain central to national development.
“Young people deserve a seat at the decision-making table. They must actively participate in shaping policies and programmes that affect their lives,” he said.
He added that meaningful youth engagement strengthens leadership, patriotism and social cohesion while creating opportunities for young people to connect with national, regional and continental networks.
Addressing Key Youth Challenges
While acknowledging progress made in youth development, Nzima said significant challenges remain.
He cited youth unemployment, mental health concerns, HIV infections, gender-based violence and limited access to technology as some of the issues affecting young people across the country.
According to the State of the Youth Report, youth unemployment continues to affect nearly half of the country’s young people, with even higher rates among those aged between 15 and 24 years.
“These realities call upon us to strengthen coordination across Government, development partners, the private sector and all institutions working in youth development. Youth Connekt Eswatini provides exactly that collaborative platform,” he said.
Building Partnerships for Success
Nzima said the success of the initiative would depend on strong partnerships among Government, development partners, financial institutions, academia, civil society organisations, the private sector and young people themselves.
He commended the United Nations Development Programme for its continued support towards youth empowerment initiatives and praised the Eswatini National Youth Council for championing programmes that place youth at the centre of development.
The Minister encouraged participants to contribute openly and constructively during the validation process to ensure that the framework reflects the realities and aspirations of young people from all four regions of the country.
“Let us ensure that no young person is left behind – especially young women, youth living with disabilities, rural youth and other vulnerable groups,” he said.
He described the framework as more than a policy document, calling it a roadmap for unlocking the immense potential of Eswatini’s youth.
“The future of Eswatini is inseparable from the future of its youth. Together, let us build that future,” concluded Nzima.
(Courtesy Pic)
