When Ngwempisi Inkhundla Youth Chairperson Ellis Dlamini wanted an example of what's possible when entrepreneurs, investors, and experts come together, he didn't have to look far: he pointed straight to Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) as a model of the kind of exchange rural entrepreneurs in Eswatini need more of — a space to share ideas, showcase innovation, and build the partnerships that turn a good idea into a real business.
That's the throughline of a broader shift Dlamini described at Eswatini's 2026 Career Expo, held at Mankayane Mabovini Sports Ground, where he led youth representatives from the five chiefdoms of Ngwempisi Inkhundla through exhibition stalls that included several financial institutions. For many young people in rural Eswatini, he explained, the gap between having a great business idea and building a real enterprise often comes down to one thing: access to capital. And increasingly, that gap is closing.
From Ideas to Enterprises
Dlamini noted that rural entrepreneurs across Eswatini are rich in creativity and innovative thinking, often designing solutions tailored to the specific challenges their communities face. What has historically held many of them back isn't a shortage of good ideas — it's a shortage of financial resources to act on them.
With start-up capital now more accessible, that's beginning to change. Entrepreneurs are using new funding to invest in the fundamentals: equipment, better technology, raw materials, and expanded production capacity — the building blocks that let a small operation grow into a competitive business.
Capital Alone Isn't Enough
A recurring theme in Dlamini's remarks was that money alone doesn't build sustainable businesses. Entrepreneurs also need mentorship, training, and capacity-building support. Business management, financial literacy, marketing, and strategic planning skills give young founders the confidence to make sound decisions and keep their businesses running through tough periods.
That confidence, Dlamini suggested, has a ripple effect — when young people and women gain access to capital and the skills to use it well, the benefits extend well beyond the individual entrepreneur to lift entire communities.
Diversifying Eswatini's Rural Economy
Supporting rural entrepreneurship is also helping diversify Eswatini's economy. Dlamini pointed to growth in tourism, handicrafts, retail, agricultural value addition, and services as young entrepreneurs look beyond traditional livelihoods for new sources of income. That diversification matters strategically: it builds resilience in rural communities against climate shocks, market volatility, and swings in agricultural output.
What Rural Entrepreneurs Still Need
Dlamini called for more inclusive financial support tailored to the realities rural entrepreneurs face — and was clear that capital is only part of the picture. Young business owners also need strong support networks: fellow entrepreneurs, investors, industry experts, and organizations that can guide them through their entrepreneurial journey, offering places to exchange ideas, access information, and build partnerships.
He pointed to business incubators and accelerators — backed by both government and the private sector — as key infrastructure for connecting start-ups with mentorship, training, and potential investors, echoing the same spirit he sees in GEW: bringing the right people into the same room. He also highlighted the importance of a supportive legal and regulatory environment: simpler business registration, stronger intellectual property protections, and business-friendly policy as levers that can encourage more people to start businesses in the first place.
A Community-Driven Path Forward
Reflecting on the Ngwempisi Inkhundla Youth Committee's work, Dlamini expressed appreciation for initiatives like the Career Expo, which give young people direct exposure to financial institutions and organizations supporting enterprise development. He encouraged young Emaswati to seize these opportunities and stay committed to building businesses that benefit their communities — and voiced confidence that Eswatini's Tinkhundla structures, with their emphasis on community-driven development, have real potential to unlock opportunity in rural areas.
Story based on reporting by Gcwalisile Mhlabane for Eswatini Positive News. Read the original article here.