Eswatini Launches Startup World Cup to Connect Local Innovators to Global Investors

Entrepreneurs in Eswatini now have a chance to compete for a US$1 million investment following the launch of Startup World Cup Eswatini 2026. The competition links local startups to international investors, including those in Silicon Valley, and opens a pathway to global markets.

Minister for Information, Communication and Technology, Savannah Maziya, launched the initiative at the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) in Nokwane. She described the competition as a practical step toward supporting youth entrepreneurship and strengthening the country’s position in the regional innovation space.

A Global Competition with Local Impact

The Startup World Cup, organised by Pegasus Tech Ventures, runs across more than 100 regions worldwide. Winners from each regional round advance to the global finals in San Francisco, scheduled for November 6, 2026, where they compete for the top investment prize. By joining the programme, Eswatini becomes part of a wider network that connects startups to venture capital, mentorship, and international business opportunities.

RSTP Acting Chief Executive Officer Madoda Mdziniso said the initiative goes beyond a pitch competition. He noted that it gives local innovators a route into global markets and aligns with the country’s push toward a knowledge-based economy driven by technology and enterprise. He added that the programme reflects confidence in the ability of emaSwati entrepreneurs to build competitive businesses, with exposure to investors and opportunities that can support expansion beyond the domestic market.

Addressing Unemployment and Supporting Entrepreneurship

The initiative comes at a time when Eswatini is dealing with high youth unemployment. According to Maziya, nearly half of young people are unemployed, with the figure rising above 50% among young women. Each year, thousands enter the job market, while formal employment opportunities remain limited.

At the same time, interest in entrepreneurship is growing. Maziya pointed to survey data showing that many young people want to start their own businesses, indicating a shift toward self-driven economic activity.

Government efforts are now focused on creating an environment that can support that shift. This includes placing Eswatini as a digital and innovation hub within the region, with stronger links to global investment networks. Maziya said the country’s size allows for faster decision-making and more flexible approaches to innovation. She also stressed that digital connectivity is changing how the country engages with global markets.

“We are no longer looking at ourselves as landlocked. We are land-linked and digitally connected to the world,” she said.

She encouraged local entrepreneurs to use the platform to present their ideas internationally and take advantage of the exposure it offers.