Young people the world is an oyster for you – go conquer it! – Minister Savannah Maziya

In a rousing address at the Umliba Youth Entrepreneurship Conference, themed “Tech Entrepreneurship Beyond the Horizon,” Honourable Senator, Savannah Maziya, the Minister of ICT in Eswatini, shared an inspiring vision for the Kingdom with generational and global impact.

Convened by the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund – Eswatini (YERF) and the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP), in partnership with Pinaco & Co and other partners the conference, coincided with the Global Entrepreneurship Week, symbolizing Eswatini’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among its youth.

A Call to Action for Youth

Represented by Director of Research, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Rejoice Maseko, Minister Maziya’s message to the youth was clear: they are the custodians of Eswatini’s future.

“I am not young anymore, but you are. You can live, explore, innovate, change the communities you come from and create generational wealth for your families. Some talk about poverty, but some experience it daily. It is you, the entrepreneurs in the room that can eradicate poverty, first by embracing a global success mindset,” she said.

Senator Maziya encouraged young people to shift from seeking employment to creating opportunities, stating, “There are limited employment opportunities, but we have unlimited entrepreneurship opportunities.”

Challenging those who are employed, the Minister said, “Your salary is just a starting point, not your destination. True wealth is built beyond the paycheck. Don’t just work for money, work to build wealth. She quoted Ecclesiastes 11:6, “Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well,”

What this means is: the future is uncertain. We may not always know which of our efforts will yield the best results. Yes, it is scary, but we must take the risk of starting and growing businesses. The wise pursue multiple opportunities simultaneously. This could mean exploring both a career paths and business ventures.

Harnessing the Power of Technology

The conference showcased the immense opportunities in sectors like fintech, cleantech, and health-tech, which are at the forefront of Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape. Minister Maziya made clear Eswatini’s potential to emulate success stories like Rwanda’s Kigali Innovation City and envisioned Eswatini as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in Southern Africa.

In a world increasingly driven by technological advancements, the Minister stressed the importance of leveraging tools like artificial intelligence (AI) to address societal challenges. She urged the government and private sector to collaborate on creating a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem that empowers marginalized communities and rural youth.

Building a Sustainable Future

Reflecting on the government’s broader vision, the Minister cited the recent unveiling of the “Nkwe” Policy statement, which outlines a transformative pathway for Eswatini’s economy. With a focus on inclusivity and sustainability, the government aims to foster a culture of innovation, self-reliance, and excellence.

Minister Maziya reiterated the need to create a national innovation strategy that would position Eswatini as one of the most innovative small nations globally. She expressed optimism about witnessing a unicorn startup emerge from Eswatini, demonstrating the country’s potential to achieve remarkable milestones in the global entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“I hold the view that “innovation is a tool through which we can make Eswatini wealthier, greener and more sustainable”. Prospects of building Eswatini Innovation City should not be a far-fetched idea – same with the dream of witnessing a unicorn (a privately held startup company with a valuation exceeding US$1 billion) coming out of Eswatini in our lifetime,” she said.

Collaboration as a Cornerstone of Success

The Minister called for collaboration among ecosystem players, including local and international partners. She encouraged academic institutions to conduct research to inform evidence-based policy-making and challenged the international investment community to explore Eswatini’s untapped entrepreneurial potential.

“To global ecosystem research institutions, we have appetite for international partnerships and collaborations that will help us conduct a health check of the Eswatini entrepreneurial ecosystem, prepare our ecosystem for listing in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index, produce annual Startup Ecosystem Reports and improve the country’s ranking in the Global Innovation Index,” she said.

She also called on the business community to invest in youth entrepreneurship through mentorship, funding, and market access, urging them to adopt corporate social responsibility initiatives that support innovation.

A Vision for Generational Impact

Concluding her address, Honourable Maziya underscored the government’s commitment to creating a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. She likened the efforts of the present generation to planting trees whose fruits will benefit future generations, emphasizing the long-term vision of a First World Eswatini.

Her closing message was one of encouragement and empowerment to youth entrepreneurs: “The world is an oyster for you – go conquer it. Embrace technology and innovation to create groundbreaking solutions that address local and global challenges.”