By Bahle Gama
The renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the U.S. Embassy in Eswatini and the Ministry of ICT will set the next phase of growth for American Spaces in the country for the next two years.
The initiative is a significant step to enhance youth empowerment and foster innovation to reinforce the role of American Spaces in the country.
The partnership aims to promote youth engagement, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy.
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The signing took place at the Ministry of ICT on Thursday morning, whereby U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Caitlin Piper expressed their excitement about the opportunities that lie ahead for the country’s youth through American Spaces.
“This partnership is not just about access to resources, it’s about creating a future where young people can lead, innovate, and inspire change in their communities,” she said.
As part of the agreement, the U.S. Embassy will continue to work closely with the Eswatini National Library Service to develop programs designed to nurture the next generation of business leaders, support Eswatini’s growing creative economy, and bolster the digital landscape.
American Spaces in Eswatini have reportedly seen exceptional engagement, with significant attendance in programs aimed at empowering young people.
These spaces are very important in providing access to information, technology, and a platform for youth to engage with global trends.
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Since its inception, American Spaces in Eswatini has made significant strides in expanding its reach and increasing engagement with young people.
From 2012 to 2019, the total program attendance grew steadily, with 87,174 total program beneficiaries across 1,301 programs offered over an 11-year period.
In 2023 alone, American Spaces organized 317 programs, reaching a total of 17,424 beneficiaries. The positive trend continued in 2024, with 228 programs held and 4,719 program beneficiaries.
