Mbabane is set to host the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between A Peculiar People and the Youth Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Eswatini on Monday, 12 January 2026. The ceremony will take place at the American Corner from 10:00 to 12:00. The agreement aims to strengthen youth entrepreneurship, innovation, and local production while providing structured market access for Eswatini-made products.
The MoU will establish a strategic partnership where both organisations will collaborate to advance youth-led enterprises and position locally produced goods and services at the centre of economic growth in the Kingdom. The signing is part of the 2026–2028 strategic plan of A Peculiar People, themed “Fuelling the Next Generation of Job Creators.”
Organisers said the press conference alongside the signing will discuss Eswatini’s import patterns and the opportunities they present for local youth to innovate and produce competitive alternatives. The City of Mbabane will also be announced as the official host for the Made in Eswatini Consumer Fair from 2026 to 2028, while the US Embassy will outline programmes supporting the next generation of business leaders.
Key initiatives to be launched include the Made in Eswatini Mark of Origin Licensing program, which will certify the authenticity of locally produced goods and services. Partnerships with youth-led enterprises for the 2026 Consumer Fair will also be revealed, aiming to boost confidence in young entrepreneurs and position youth-driven businesses as a national growth engine.
Since its inception, the Made in Eswatini Initiative has sought to grow market knowledge, increase entrepreneurial capacity, and influence consumer trust towards Eswatini-made products. Last year, local fairs and awards saw 90 percent participation from youth-led businesses, 70 percent from women-led enterprises, and over 575 product lines sold. Publicity and social media campaigns generated an estimated E850,000 in media value and nearly one million impressions.
The initiative draws inspiration from Switzerland’s “Swiss Made” model, aiming to create a globally recognised mark of quality, authenticity, and innovation for Eswatini-made products. Strategic partnerships with government, international development agencies, and the private sector form the backbone of the programme.
The Made in Eswatini Consumer Fair is scheduled for 25 April 2026 at Dr Sishayi Road, Mbabane, with the Festival Experience planned for 26 September 2026 at The Olive Boma on Farm 620 Bronkhorspruit. Other programmes, including the Personal Mastery Journey and Consumer Choice Awards, will be announced.
Stakeholders are invited to explore collaboration and investment opportunities across the initiative’s five key pillars, including market intelligence, loyalty programmes, eco-friendly manufacturing, and consumer campaigns.
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