The ongoing launch is drawing attention to the skills, investment and collaboration needed to prepare Emaswati for a changing economy.

Eswatini faces a persistent skills mismatch: many graduates struggle to secure employment, while employers face difficulties finding workers with the skills their industries need. The Eswatini National Skills Development Master Plan (2026–2031), being launched today, provides a national roadmap for addressing this gap by aligning education and training with labour market needs.

Presenting findings informing the Master Plan, Tengetile Hlophe-Dlamini, Senior Research Fellow at the Eswatini Economic Policy Analysis and Research Centre (ESEPARC), is highlighting how industries across the economy are seeking to adopt technology and automate aspects of their work.

These changes have implications for both people entering the labour market and those already employed. Young people need opportunities to develop the skills required in increasingly technology-driven workplaces, while existing workers need support to learn new technologies and adapt to changing ways of working.

She is also emphasising the need for deliberate coordination and collaboration among government, employers, education and training institutions, and other labour market stakeholders. A clear framework would help define responsibilities, guide stakeholders to the right sources of support and strengthen joint efforts to address skills and employment challenges.

Alongside skills development, investment is needed to develop new sectors, establish new businesses and help existing companies expand. Growing the economy and developing relevant skills must go hand in hand to create employment opportunities and enable Emaswati to put their capabilities to productive use.

The Master Plan sets out a shared direction for strengthening the link between education, training and employment. Its implementation will require coordinated action to translate skills development into improved employment prospects, greater productivity and inclusive economic growth.

Right skills, right jobs, bright future.