Eswatini allocates highest regional scholarship budget per capita

Eswatini’s scholarship budget is the highest in the region on a per capita basis, with the government allocating approximately E700 million annually toward tertiary education. Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg stated that this investment reflects a commitment to human capital development, though he emphasized the need to align funding with economic requirements.

Rijkenberg noted that the government must ensure scholarships are awarded for qualifications that improve employment prospects, specifically suggesting a greater focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and other emerging fields to remain competitive in the global economy.