By Siphesihle Dlamini
House On Fire has officially opened applications for the highly anticipated “Future Icons” entrepreneur training program for 2025, a transformative initiative supported by the European Union (EU) and the International Trade Centre (ITC).
This program, now in its second successful year, aims to empower local micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the handicraft and artisanal food sectors, providing them with the training and resources needed to thrive in competitive markets.
The EU-ITC Future Icons Launchpad is part of the broader “Eswatini: Promoting growth through competitive alliances” program, which is supported by the EU and implemented by the ITC in collaboration with the Eswatini Government.
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This initiative seeks to foster economic growth and sustainability by nurturing the potential of local entrepreneurs.
The Launchpad offers invaluable market exposure, including trading opportunities at renowned events like MTN Bushfire and the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival. It is open to young entrepreneurs in Eswatini who are involved in crafting artisanal foods or handcrafted products.
The program is designed to help these entrepreneurs scale their businesses during the critical early stages of development.
Applications for the program can be submitted online at [this link]
(https://www.jotform.com/form/231623673824559) and will close on February 18, 2025. The 2025 EU-ITC Future Icons Launchpad will kick off on March 3, 2025, offering comprehensive ten-month immersive training and trade experience.
This program is tailored to equip ten outstanding MSMEs—dubbed the “Future Icons”—with the skills, market access, and mentorship necessary to develop export-ready products and brands in the artisanal food and handicraft sectors.
Participants in the program will benefit from expert-led training sessions and hands-on trade opportunities at major festivals.
This unique approach fosters creative growth while strengthening the foundations of each participating business.
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Local entrepreneurs and industry leaders will provide invaluable insights, helping these businesses thrive both locally and in international markets.
Eva-Maria Engdahl, Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to the Kingdom of Eswatini, expressed her enthusiasm for the program, stating,
“The EU is proud to support the Future Icons Launchpad, a program that empowers Eswatini’s talented entrepreneurs to scale up their businesses, access new markets, and drive sustainable economic growth.
We look forward to seeing this year’s cohort thrive.”
The success of the Future Icons Launchpad is further illustrated by the experiences of its participants.
Lungelo Dlamini, founder of Patience Delight and one of the first Future Icons, shared her thoughts on the program’s impact:
“We would like to thank the ITC and House on Fire team for the immense impact they have brought to our business.
We have grown in many aspects of our business, and the marketplace is more aware of us now compared to when we started this incubator program.
The guidance, mentorship, and opportunities created are always going to be valuable to us.”
