Eswatini's youth are at the forefront of the future... Prime Minister calls for greater investment in education, innovation, and job opportunities
A new national report outlines the reality of young people a decade from now.
Written by Omnia Hassan
The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini, Russell Msiso Dlamini, called for increased investment in education, skills development, innovation and job creation, stressing that young people represent one of the most important elements of the country’s competitive strength.
This came during the launch ceremony of the State of Youth Report 2026 in the city of Manzini, a report prepared by the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs in cooperation with a number of partners and stakeholders, to provide a comprehensive assessment of the reality of youth development in the Kingdom after about ten years since the last similar study.
Strategic document for decision-making
The report is an important reference for national planning, promoting accountability and evidence-based policymaking, as it reviews the achievements made in the youth sector, along with the challenges that still require further efforts.
Dlamini praised the contribution of the government, development partners, civil society organizations, the private sector and the youth themselves in preparing the report, considering it to reflect a realistic picture of the progress made and future aspirations.
Encouraging achievements and positive indicators
The report highlighted a number of positive findings, including higher literacy rates among young people, increased participation in entrepreneurship, improved health indicators, and a growing presence in leadership and decision-making positions.
The Prime Minister stressed that these indicators prove that Eswatini's youth are not a burden on the state, but rather represent a national asset and a strategic investment for the future.
National values are the foundation of sustainable development.
Dlamini stressed the importance of young people adhering to the Kingdom’s authentic values, such as mutual respect, humility, hard work, patriotism, and commitment to education, explaining that these principles form the basic foundation for achieving sustainable development and strengthening national unity.
He added that the success of any development agenda depends not only on providing opportunities, but is also linked to building character and promoting moral and cultural values within society.
Government commitment to empowering youth
The Prime Minister affirmed the King’s government’s continued commitment to expanding employment, entrepreneurship and innovation opportunities for young people, through investment in education, technical and vocational training and digital skills development, along with strengthening programs that address issues of inequality, health and social welfare.
He also noted that establishing coordination structures at the national and community levels is an important step to ensure that the report's findings are translated into practical programs and measurable indicators.
From data to achievement
In closing, Dlamini called on all parties to translate the report’s findings into effective policies and concrete actions that impact the lives of young people, stressing that Eswatini’s future depends on the decisions made today, and that wise investment in youth will ensure the building of a more prosperous, stable, and resilient nation capable of facing future challenges.
