Eswatini youth entrepreneurs face land disputes and import challenges

During a presentation of the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, to the Senate Finance Committee in Ezulwini, officials and entrepreneurs highlighted significant obstacles facing young business owners in Eswatini.

Entrepreneurs reported that land disputes and administrative barriers are threatening their ability to repay business loans. Specifically, in the agricultural sector, individuals testified that losing access to productive land due to family or community disputes has interrupted their ability to generate the revenue necessary to service debts provided by the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund (YERF).

YERF Chief Executive Officer Mandla Nkambule acknowledged gaps in the current system for securing land allocated to beneficiaries. He proposed engaging directly with traditional authorities to mitigate these risks. Additionally, Nkambule emphasized the need to shift youth empowerment toward local manufacturing to reduce the country’s heavy reliance on imported goods, noting that rural entrepreneurs require better access to capacity-building and incubation programs comparable to those available in urban areas.