Monday, September 1, 2025 by Zinhle Matsenjwa

 

In response to the growing economic challenges faced by Eswatini’s youth, the Helping Other People Expand (HOPE) Foundation has launched its flagship initiative – the Digital Marketing and Financial Literacy Training Programme.

Running from September 11 to December 4 at Endibanweni American Corner, this three-month pilot will equip 20 youth entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge and networks needed to transition from informal hustling to sustainable, investment-ready enterprises.

The programme targets beneficiaries from the Mbabane East Constituency, with participants drawn from vibrant communities such as Sidwashini, Msunduza, Fonteyn and Mdzimba. These areas represent a dynamic cross-section of youth potential, where informal entrepreneurship thrives despite limited access to formal support systems.

From mindset to market

Training opens with a powerful mindset-shifting session led by the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, designed to unlock entrepreneurial thinking and prepare participants for an intensive learning journey. This knowledge-sharing platform will challenge limiting beliefs and foster a culture of innovation, resilience and strategic growth. MTN Eswatini will add to the momentum through its Digital Skills Academy, guiding participants on how to leverage the platform for business visibility and operational efficiency – an essential skill for building digital-first ventures in a tech-driven economy.

Expert insights and practical tools

Throughout the programme, expert-led workshops will be delivered by professionals from reputable institutions in digital marketing, financial literacy and business development. Topics will include social media strategy, budgeting, compliance, bookkeeping and reinvestment planning.

Recognising the structural barriers to youth advancement, HOPE has engaged key stakeholders from the financial sector and government parastatals.

Representatives from commercial banks, microfinance institutions and the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund (YERF) will explore compliance, funding readiness and strategies for accessing financial services.

Vision rooted in global exposure

Founder and Team Lead Ayanda Neliswa Nkambule brings a global lens to local transformation. As a Mandela Washington Fellow under the Public Management Track at the University of Minnesota, she gained exposure to systems-level thinking, leadership development and institutional innovation.

“That experience was catalytic,” Ayanda reflects. “Seeing young Africans lead meaningful initiatives – whether in business, agriculture, education or governance – reminded me that Eswatini’s youth are just as capable. We simply need the right platforms, the right mindset and the right support.”

The HOPE Project responds to that call. It offers not just training but a Youth Enterprise Uplift Model that builds economic dignity, strategic capacity and access to capital. By the end of the programme, participants will have developed compliant business plans, gained certification and taken part in mock pitch sessions with funders.

“This is more than a workshop series,” Ayanda adds. “It’s a movement to help youth thrive, lead and multiply impact. We are building a generation of entrepreneurs who are not just ready for funding – they are ready to transform Eswatini’s economy.”

For more information or to support the initiative, contact the HOPE Foundation at hopefoundationsz@outlook.com or call +268 7924 9163.