Mbabane – More than 220 local brands have already registered interest in participating in this year’s Made in Eswatini fair, following last year’s Unlock Made in Eswatini engagement at the UN House, Melusi “Zox” Dlamini of A Peculiar People (APP) said.
Dlamini spoke during the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Youth Chamber of Commerce and Industries Eswatini (YCCIE) on 12 January 2025 in Mbabane. The agreement brings together APP, YCCIE, the Mbabane Municipal Council, and the United States Embassy in Eswatini to strengthen youth entrepreneurship, boost local production, and improve market access through the Made in Eswatini initiative.
The signing also marked the launch of the Made in Eswatini Mark of Origin Licensing Programme, which aims to authenticate and promote locally produced goods nationwide. Dlamini highlighted that partnerships with youth-led enterprises have been established to support the programme’s delivery and scale its impact.
He introduced some of the participating youth enterprises, including Simplified Systems, a tech-based company offering front desk commercial services, hardware maintenance, upgrades, and a card-based rewards system. These collaborations are designed to connect young producers to national platforms, increase visibility for their products, and open access to broader markets.
Dlamini added that the initiative also seeks to bridge the gap between different generations of entrepreneurs who often work in silos. “Over and above the MOU signing, we have established real partnerships with a couple of youth enterprises that will be helping us bring this vision to life,” he said, underlining the goal of making Made in Eswatini a nationally recognized and youth-driven movement.
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