Youth entrepreneurship initiatives in Southern Africa

Southern African nations are implementing educational and financial strategies to combat youth unemployment by promoting entrepreneurship.

In the academic sector, institutions in Eswatini and South Africa are refining curricula to better align with market needs. Botho University in Eswatini is embedding entrepreneurial skills across various faculties to help students create their own livelihoods. In South Africa, experts are calling for stronger partnerships between academia, government, and the business sector to address skills mismatches through internships and enhanced career services.

Complementing these educational shifts, financial initiatives in Eswatini and Lesotho are providing direct support to young business owners. In Eswatini, the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund (YERF) has issued loans to help entrepreneurs establish ventures in sectors such as food and clothing. Similarly, in Lesotho, the Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion Project (CAFI) is supporting growth in the textile, food, and construction sectors by providing essential equipment and improving marketing capabilities.

Recent efforts in Eswatini have focused on bridging the gap between academic qualifications and workplace readiness. Khuluma Eswatini hosted a seminar at Southern Africa Nazarene University for over 300 young people, covering interpersonal skills, customer care, and the “responsible use of artificial intelligence.”

Additionally, the Eswatini National Youth Council (ENYC) launched a TVET Support Programme. This E500,000 investment provides 89 young people across the Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, and Shiselweni regions with practical toolkits for trades such as carpentry, electrical installation, welding, and motor mechanics. The programme also integrates training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and business management.