Eswatini: News and Jobs Guide

Introduction to Eswatini's News and Jobs Landscape

The Kingdom of Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, stands at a critical socioeconomic juncture, characterized by a complex interplay of promising economic growth and persistent labor market challenges. The nation's economy is projected to expand by approximately five percent in 2025, driven by a combination of supportive policies and increased public and private investment . However, this growth narrative unfolds against a backdrop of a strained labor market, where the national unemployment rate is estimated at a daunting 34 percent, with the situation for the youth being even more severe, reaching as high as 56 percent . This disparity between economic growth and job creation underscores a fundamental structural issue within Eswatini's economy. A significant skills mismatch, where the output of the education system does not align with the demands of the private sector, is a primary contributor to high graduate unemployment, which stands at 40 percent . Understanding the dynamics of news and jobs in Eswatini requires a holistic examination of these economic trends, labor market policies, digital transformation initiatives, and the aspirations of a young, educated population actively seeking employment opportunities both domestically and abroad.

Current Economic and Employment Trends

Eswatini's economy demonstrates a trajectory of moderate growth. In 2024, the economy expanded by 2.8 percent, propelled by the manufacturing and services sectors, while a severe drought kept agricultural output flat . The projection for 2025 is more optimistic, with growth estimated at about five percent, anticipated through a combination of policies and supportive conditions, including an increase in public and private investment . Despite this positive economic outlook, the labor market remains under significant stress. The national unemployment rate is a pressing concern, with estimates placing it at 34 percent, one of the highest in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region . The situation is particularly dire for the nation's youth, with more than half of young Emaswati either unemployed or actively looking for work . This has led to widespread dissatisfaction, with only 11 percent of youth expressing satisfaction with the country's economic situation .

A significant trend with long-term implications is the active consideration of emigration by Eswatini's youth.

Fully half of young citizens have given at least "a little" consideration to leaving the country . The primary reasons for this desire to emigrate are the search for better jobs and economic opportunities, with attractive destinations including South Africa, England, Ireland, and Taiwan . This potential brain drain threatens to deprive Eswatini of its energetic and educated young human resources, with reports indicating that desperate attempts to leave have in some cases left young people vulnerable to fraud, scamming, and human trafficking . The scale of the challenge is underscored by the fact that while 25,000 young people enter the labor market each year, only about 1,000 new jobs are created annually, creating an immense gap between labor supply and demand .

Industry Analysis and Key Sectors

Eswatini's economy is supported by several key sectors, each presenting distinct employment opportunities and challenges. The manufacturing sector is a cornerstone of the economy, contributing around 37 percent to the country's GDP . This sector holds the largest potential for job creation but is hampered by skills shortages and mismatches, particularly in technical and industry-specific areas . To remain competitive, the sector requires skills that can support industrial automation, food safety, packaging technology, and AI-driven quality control . The agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector remains a significant source of economic activity, though it is vulnerable to climatic shocks, as evidenced by the recent drought that flattened its output . This sector requires modern skills in climate-smart agriculture, agricultural biotechnology, value chain management, and digital agriculture to enhance productivity and resilience .

The tourism sector is a growing contributor, accounting for 23.9 percent of GDP

Its continued growth is dependent on enhancing skills in digital marketing, technology integration, and cultural liaison to attract and serve an international clientele . The wholesale and retail sector is the largest industry in terms of employment in Eswatini, contributing 17.9 percent of total employment . It is rapidly evolving, with emerging jobs in digital marketing, e-commerce, social media marketing, and customer experience specialization . The information and communication technology (ICT) sector is identified as a key transformative strategy for the country . As a cross-cutting sector driven by technological change, it promises continued high demand for skilled professionals. Efforts to promote gender balance are showing promise, with companies implementing programs to train females in ICT and offer scholarships to encourage girls to pursue careers in the field .

Key Cities and Regional Employment Hubs

Mbabane, the administrative capital of Eswatini, serves as a central hub for public administration, policy-making, and related services. The city hosted the launch of the World Bank's Eswatini Economic Update, which emphasized digital transformation as a key national strategy . It is also where stakeholders, including government ministries, captains of industry, and academics, gather for critical policy discussions, such as the presentation of the Impact Analysis Report on the Prohibition of Triangular Employment by Business Eswatini . The city's economy is therefore closely tied to the activities of the government and the development partner community. Ezulwini, known for its luxury hotels and tourism facilities, is a key center for the hospitality and tourism industry. The Royal Villas in Ezulwini was chosen as the venue for the official launch of the Labour Market Skills Anticipation Report, underscoring its role as a location for high-level national gatherings . The health of this city's economy is directly linked to the performance of the tourism sector.

While not explicitly detailed in the search results, the industrial and manufacturing areas of the country, which likely include regions around cities like Matsapha, are critical for employment in the industrial and manufacturing sectors. The report indicating that the manufacturing sector contributes 37 percent to GDP and has the largest job creation potential suggests that these industrial zones are significant employment hubs . The forestry and agricultural estates spread across Eswatini's rural areas are major employers, particularly for seasonal and lower-skilled labor. These areas depend heavily on triangular employment arrangements, with over 22,000 seasonal triangular workers involved in planting, harvesting, and processing . A proposed ban on such employment arrangements poses a significant threat to jobs and economic activity in these rural communities.

Workforce Skills and Labor Dynamics

The most defining characteristic of Eswatini's labor market is the profound mismatch between the skills offered by the workforce and those required by the economy. Eswatini has one of the world's highest skills mismatch indices according to the International Labour Organization . This gap leads to a shortage of graduates with qualifications that align with industry needs, directly contributing to high unemployment rates, particularly among the youth . A skills audit revealed critical deficiencies even in sectors with a highly educated workforce; for example, in the agricultural and agro-processing sector, despite 90 percent of the workforce having bachelor's degrees, 85 percent lack essential skills such as communication and industry-specific expertise . The mining sector has a high demand for technical and vocational skills, but employers consistently struggle to find suitably skilled professionals .

The structure of employment itself is a point of contention and vulnerability.

Triangular employment, also known as labour brokering, is a structural feature of the labor market, deeply embedded in sectors critical to livelihoods and the national economy . This arrangement, where workers are supplied by private employment agencies to end-user companies, directly supports about 11,700 jobs and indirectly sustains another 8,000 through supply chains and associated economic activity . These jobs are largely in low-skilled roles such as security guards, cleaners, drivers, and warehouse assistants, with the majority filled by young people and women. A proposed legislative ban on this practice, while well-intentioned to protect workers' rights, risks triggering mass unemployment, with projections of over 20,000 job losses, financial insolvencies for many firms, and severe operational disruptions in key sectors like security, forestry, and agriculture .

Salary and Compensation Insights

Comprehensive salary data for Eswatini across all sectors is limited within the provided search results. However, insights into the Information Technology sector provide a valuable benchmark. The gross monthly salary range for people working in Information Technology in Eswatini is typically from 5,825 SZL at the minimum to 22,571 SZL at the highest average, with the actual maximum salary being higher . This data indicates that 80 percent of people in the IT sector earn between this range, while 10 percent earn less than 5,825 SZL and 10 percent earn more than 22,571 SZL . The significant range suggests that compensation is highly dependent on specific job roles, experience levels, and specialized skills.

The discussion around triangular employment indirectly sheds light on compensation in lower-skilled roles.

The fact that these jobs are concentrated in positions like security guards, cleaners, and drivers, and that their potential prohibition is justified by businesses on the grounds of cost efficiency, implies that wages in these sectors are likely at the lower end of the spectrum . The financial burden of terminating these contracts, estimated to exceed E250 million nationally in severance and termination costs, also indicates the scale of this segment of the workforce, though it does not provide direct per-capita salary figures . The search results do not contain specific salary information for senior, executive, or highly specialized roles in sectors like finance or engineering, which would be necessary for a complete picture of the compensation landscape.

Emerging Technologies and Digital Transformation

Eswatini is actively pursuing a digital transformation agenda, identified by the World Bank as a key strategy to unlock growth, create jobs, and build economic resilience . This ambition is embodied in the Kingdom's 2024-2028 digital strategy and is being advanced through high-level international partnerships. A significant development is the exploration of a digital partnership with Google Cloud, discussed between the Minister of Information, Communications and Technology and the company's Vice President on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly . This collaboration could introduce Google Workspace across government departments to enhance efficiency, security, and transparency, and explore the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning for data-driven decision-making .

Substantial progress has been made in expanding digital access, with nearly 95 percent of the population now covered by 4G networks

However, a significant adoption gap remains, as only about 58 percent of people are using the internet . A primary barrier is the high cost of data, which takes up 3.47 percent of Gross National Income per capita, a figure above what is considered affordable in the region . To overcome this and attract greater investment, key reforms are recommended, including restructuring the state-owned telecom enterprise, Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC), adopting open access policies to promote infrastructure sharing, and updating regulatory frameworks to foster competition and lower costs . The government is also investing in foundational digital public infrastructure, including the establishment of a National Digital Addressing System and the implementation of a modern digital ID system, which are crucial for modernizing public services and formalizing the economy .

Challenges in the Labor Market

The Eswatini labor market is confronted by a triad of interconnected challenges: rampant unemployment, a critical skills mismatch, and policy uncertainty. Unemployment, particularly among youth, is the single most important problem that Emaswati want their government to address, with 86 percent of youth disapproving of the government's performance on job creation . The skills mismatch perpetuates this crisis. The nation continues to struggle to produce essential skills, such as in engineering, which are crucial for national growth, and often relies on importing expertise for the professional, scientific, and technical activities sector . This mismatch is not merely technical but also involves soft skills, as evidenced by the large proportion of graduates lacking communication skills.

The regulatory environment presents another layer of challenge.

The proposed outright ban on triangular employment creates significant uncertainty for businesses and workers alike . Such a prohibition, as analyzed by Business Eswatini, threatens to wipe out over 20,000 jobs, force the termination of thousands of contracts, and potentially trigger a wave of business insolvencies, especially among small and medium enterprises that make up 90 percent of formal businesses . This would further strain an already dire labor market. Beyond these immediate issues, businesses face broader operational hurdles. Surveyed firms indicated that if the ban on labour brokering proceeds, 55 percent anticipate accelerating automation to offset rising labour costs, a trend that would compound job losses, while 76 percent foresee supply chain disruptions . These challenges are compounded by spending inefficiencies in public services, where despite health and education spending exceeding that of peer countries, outcomes are worse, indicating that public resources are not being optimally utilized to develop human capital .

Government Policies and National Initiatives

The Eswatini government, in collaboration with development partners, has initiated several policies and programs to address the employment crisis and steer economic development. A central pillar of the government's policy framework is the National Digital Strategy for 2024-2028, which aims to harness digital technologies for economic growth . This strategy is supported by the World Bank's recommendations to strengthen digital governance, accelerate EPTC reforms, invest in digital public infrastructure, and develop a National Digital Skills Action Plan aligned with labor market needs . In response to the skills gap, the government, through the Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC) and the Eswatini Economic Policy Analysis and Research Centre (ESEPARC), has championed the development of the "Shaping Tomorrow's Skills Today" report and the Labour Market Skills Anticipation Report . These initiatives are designed to inform the National Skills Development Master Plan Project and ensure that higher education programming is aligned with present and future industrial needs.

To directly support youth, the government has established the Eswatini Youth Development Programme, a well-regarded two-pronged initiative that focuses on both graduate placement and artisanal training . For aspiring entrepreneurs, the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund provides collateral-free loans of up to E200,000 to assist young people in their entrepreneurial pursuits . On the contentious issue of labor market regulation, the government's proposed Employment Bill No. 12 of 2024, which contains a section to prohibit triangular employment, has sparked significant debate . The business community, represented by Business Eswatini, has overwhelmingly rejected the prohibition, with 97 percent of surveyed firms calling for enhanced regulation instead of an outright ban, proposing alternatives such as licensing and accreditation of agencies, stricter inspection regimes, and phased transition periods . This has created a critical juncture in the country's labor policy.

Career Advice and Job Seeking Strategies

For job seekers in Eswatini, a strategic approach is essential to navigate the challenging market. Prioritizing skills aligned with national economic needs is crucial. The Labour Market Skills Anticipation Report highlights high-demand areas such as engineering and manufacturing, specifically roles like advanced manufacturing specialist and sustainability engineer . Digital skills are increasingly cross-cutting, with demand for digital marketers, marketing automation specialists, and branding specialists across sectors like wholesale and retail . The ICT sector continues to be a high-demand industry, and technical skills in areas like SAP software implementation are also sought after, as evidenced by training institutes offering certification and placement assistance for modules like SAP FICO and SAP MM .

Entrepreneurship represents a vital pathway for employment

with 50 percent of Eswatini's youth expressing a desire to start their own businesses . Aspiring entrepreneurs should actively explore support mechanisms like the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund, which provides critical startup capital . For those seeking employment, understanding the prevalence of triangular employment is important, as many entry-level and low-skilled roles in sectors like security, cleaning, and agriculture are filled through these arrangements . Job seekers should therefore not only target direct employment with end-user companies but also register with reputable private employment agencies. Given the high consideration of emigration among youth, looking for opportunities abroad remains a common strategy, though it must be pursued with caution to avoid fraud and trafficking . Ultimately, success in the Eswatini job market requires a combination of relevant, often technical, skills, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a pragmatic understanding of the prevailing labor structures.

Education and Training for Future Jobs

The alignment of Eswatini's education and training systems with the demands of the labor market is imperative for the nation's future prosperity. The current disconnect is a significant contributor to unemployment, as identified in the "Shaping Tomorrow's Skills Today" report, which points to a critical mismatch between the skills offered by higher education institutions and those required by industry . To bridge this gap, a fundamental shift in educational programming is necessary. The World Economic Forum's Future Skills 2025 Report identifies technology as a primary driver of skills transformation, indicating that Eswatini cannot continue offering the same training programs and expect different results . This requires updating curricula to include digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving as foundational elements across all disciplines.

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)

Must be strengthened and promoted to address the acute shortage of technical skills in sectors like mining and manufacturing . The national development strategy's emphasis on enhancing vocational education is a step in the right direction . Furthermore, there is a growing market for specialized, industry-recognized certifications that fast-track employability. For instance, training institutes in Eswatini offer comprehensive SAP courses, providing certification and 100 percent placement assistance for roles such as SAP Functional Consultant and Business Analyst, responding directly to the demand for ERP professionals . The government's plan to develop a National Digital Skills Action Plan is another crucial initiative that will aim to systematically align skills development with labor market needs . For parents and students, the findings from the skills anticipation reports should serve as a guide for making informed decisions about educational paths, steering toward fields with demonstrated demand and future growth potential .

Future Outlook and Economic Prospects

The future trajectory of Eswatini's economy and job market hinges on the effective implementation of key reforms and the navigation of both domestic and external risks. The medium-term economic prospects are cautiously framed by fiscal pressures, particularly the expected significant decline in revenues from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) relative to the past two years, which could further strain the fiscal outlook and limit public investment . The government's plan to undertake fiscal consolidation to contain public debt to about 40 percent of GDP is a key policy objective, but it must be carefully calibrated to avoid constraining growth and essential spending on infrastructure and human capital development .

The single greatest opportunity for transformative growth lies in the successful execution of the digital transformation agenda.

If Eswatini can undertake bold reforms, such as restructuring the EPTC and fostering greater competition in the telecom sector to lower data costs, it can boost productivity, create sustainable new jobs, and increase domestic revenue, thereby reducing reliance on volatile SACU transfers . The potential partnership with Google Cloud signals a proactive approach to adopting frontier technologies . The resolution of the debate on triangular employment will also have profound implications. A balanced regulatory approach, as recommended by the International Labour Organisation and the business community, could protect workers' rights without triggering mass unemployment, thereby preserving stability in key sectors . The validation and implementation of the National Skills Development Master Plan, informed by the recent skills anticipation research, provides a roadmap for systematically tackling the skills mismatch over the next decade . Ultimately, Eswatini's future will be shaped by its ability to foster a competitive innovation ecosystem, strengthen coordination across government initiatives, and equip its workforce, particularly its youth, with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy.

Conclusion on Eswatini's Employment Landscape

Eswatini stands at a pivotal moment, facing a stark choice between perpetuating a cycle of jobless growth and embarking on a path of inclusive, digitally-enabled economic development. The challenges are formidable: an unemployment rate of 34 percent, a crippling skills mismatch, and the potential for further job losses from well-intentioned but potentially disruptive labor market policies. Yet, the analysis also reveals clear avenues for progress. The widespread coverage of 4G networks and the high-level commitment to a digital strategy provide a foundation for a technological leap. The detailed understanding of sector-specific skills needs, as documented in recent reports, offers a data-driven blueprint for reforming education and training. The energy and education of the youth population, though currently underutilized and often looking outward, represent the nation's most valuable asset. Navigating this complex landscape requires concerted action from all stakeholders. The government must prioritize policy coherence, fostering an environment where businesses can thrive and create jobs while ensuring workers are protected. The private sector must actively engage with educational institutions to communicate its evolving needs and invest in workforce training. For job seekers and the youth, the path forward involves a pragmatic pursuit of the skills that the economy truly values. The successful harnessing of digital technologies, coupled with a strategic alignment of human capital development, can unlock Eswatini's potential for higher economic growth, job creation, and broader economic inclusion.