The Eswatini Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund and Cake Bakers Eswatini signed a memorandum of understanding on 23 June 2026 to support aspiring and existing bakers with funding, training and market access.
Under the agreement, YERF will provide start-up support of up to E15,000 to new and current bakers.
Cake Bakers Eswatini will deliver training and skills development. 
The partnership is structured around four pillars: Funding, Training and Skills Development, Markets and Recognition.
Officials said the programme targets youth unemployment by converting technical baking skills into registered businesses.
The bakery sector was selected due to consistent local demand and low capital requirements compared to other manufacturing activities.
Increased local production is expected to reduce imports of baked goods and retain spending within Eswatini.
YERF Chief Executive Officer Mandla Nkambule addressed the signing ceremony in Mbabane. He stated that the fund is available for youth with viable business plans. “To every young person, join Cake Bakers Eswatini.
Hone your craft. Acquire the right skills. Build your plan. And then, come to YERF. The fund is available, the opportunity is real.
Let us turn your bakery dream into a thriving, sustainable reality,” Nkambule said.
Cake Bakers Eswatini Training Manager Sibusiso Mashwama said the collaboration addresses a documented gap between training completion and business start-up.
“Many young people complete baking training but struggle to access the funding needed to start their businesses, which delays their entrepreneurial journey,” Mashwama said.
“We are focused on empowering bakers to become successful business owners, not just skilled bakers.”
The MoU is open to all emaSwati. YERF and CBE said the programme will monitor business survival rates, job creation and revenue generation as indicators of economic impact.
Government has identified youth-led small enterprises as a priority for economic growth and job creation.
The agreement takes effect immediately and applications will be processed through YERF and CBE channels.
