The National Labour Market Skills Project Report, a significant study on Eswatini’s future workforce needs, is scheduled for launch on 27 March 2025 at the Royal Villas, Ezulwini.
Developed by the Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC) in collaboration with the Eswatini Economic Policy Analysis and Research Centre (ESEPARC) and the Taiwan Technical Mission (ICDF), the report provides data-driven projections to help bridge the country’s skills gap.
It has quantified the skills required both presently and, in the future, while also mapping the corresponding numbers needed in the short and long term. The project also predicts possible unemployment trends in some industries experiencing a decline.
Findings indicate that science, engineering, IT, and creative/social sciences will propel employment growth, while the demand for education professionals will decline. The study also forecasts skills shortages in manufacturing, tourism, finance, ICT, and agriculture, where industries struggle to find talent in automation, fintech, blockchain, and green technologies.
At a pre-launch workshop, ESHEC CEO Dr. Loretta Mkhonta highlighted the need for micro-credentials to provide flexible, targeted training.
Dr. Mkhonta added that the report stresses the importance of cross-sector collaboration to foster sustainable growth. It emphasises the need to align primary, secondary, high school, and tertiary education with industry trends to equip graduates with relevant skills for a seamless transition into the workforce.
“Additionally, it integrates government economic plans, projecting the skills necessary for key national projects. By fostering synergy between education, industry, and policy, this strategic approach supports economic growth and strengthens the country’s capacity to meet emerging industry demands,” Dr. Mkhonta said.
ESEPARC Executive Director Dr Thabo Sacolo highlighted that this study builds upon the 2022 Skills Audit, which lacked numerical data and extensive forecasting. Unlike its predecessor, the NLMSP provides a detailed prediction of future skills demand, identifies gaps and shortages, and offers a clearer roadmap for aligning workforce development with economic needs.
“ESEPARC conducted the skills anticipation survey and developed the predictive model, which forecasts employment trends from 2025 to 2052, with some projections extending to 2033,” he explained.
The model also identifies potential unemployment trends in declining industries, offering valuable insights for workforce planning.
ESEPARC’s Dr. Thabo Sacolo emphasised that the report provides the first long-term employment forecast for Eswatini.
Mazambane Dlamini, speaking on behalf of the Taiwan Technical Mission, underscored the study’s significance for the Technical and Vocational Skills Certification Enhancements Project. “This study is a game-changer for us—it is our lifeline. The recommendations serve as a strategic guide for our future projects, helping us and the government demonstrate to funders that there is still immense potential for growth in Eswatini’s TVET sector. It provides clear evidence of where skills development is most needed and strengthens our case for continued investment,” Dlamini said.
A key recommendation is to expand STEM and vocational training, reskilling programmes, and entrepreneurship support to drive economic growth.
Highlights from the “ENLMSP: Skills Anticipation Validation” workshop:
• The growing importance of soft skills alongside technical expertise. Communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and teamwork are as crucial as industry-specific skills. Many sectors, including tourism, retail, and finance, struggle to find candidates with strong customer service and leadership abilities, essential for business success.
• Agriculture and agro-processing lack specialists, mining and energy suffer from a shortage of training institutions, and manufacturing lags in automation and robotics.
• Tourism requires better customer service skills, ICT qualifications often miss industry standards, and retail and wholesale necessitate expertise in complex machinery and e-commerce.
• Finance and insurance demand blockchain and fintech skills, while construction remains reliant on vocational training, limiting the adoption of modern engineering.
• Despite some progress in graduate employment, the unemployment rate remains high at 38%, with many graduates waiting over three years for jobs due to competition, slow job growth, and skills mismatches.
With youth unemployment at 48.7%, urgent reforms are needed. The report calls for labour market forecasting, the expansion of STEM and vocational training, investment in upskilling, and soft skills development. “For true progress, we must challenge gender stereotypes and prioritise equity,” said ESEPARC’s Tengetile Hlophe.
The upcoming report launch is expected to shape government and industry strategies to ensure Eswatini’s workforce is prepared for the future.