Standard Bank pumps E100,000 into UNESWA Luyengo ENACTUS World Cup journey

By Siphesihle Dlamini

Boosting youth entrepreneurship and innovation, Standard Bank Eswatini has contributed E100,000 to support the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) Luyengo Campus ENACTUS team as they prepare to represent Eswatini at the prestigious Enactus World Cup, taking place from September 25 to 28, 2025.

This funding marks a critical investment in the future of Eswatini’s young entrepreneurs and underscores the bank’s commitment to driving economic development through education and grassroots business support.

The UNESWA Luyengo Campus team recently clinched the title of 2025 Enactus Eswatini National Champions with their groundbreaking project, Nutri Plume.

This innovative initiative produces organic fertiliser from broiled chicken feathers, a resource that would otherwise contribute to environmental pollution if improperly disposed of.

Their success at the national level has earned them the honour of representing Eswatini at the Enactus World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, where they will compete against teams from over 35 countries.

The Enactus World Cup is renowned as a global platform where innovation meets impact, showcasing projects that combine entrepreneurial spirit with social and environmental responsibility.

The UNESWA Luyengo team’s Nutri Plume project not only addresses agricultural productivity but also tackles critical issues of water, land, and air pollution, positioning Eswatini as a contender on the world stage for sustainable solutions.

The Eswatini team is scheduled to depart for Bangkok on September 23, 2025, and will return on September 30, 2025.

This journey is more than a competition; it is an opportunity for the team to gain exposure to cutting-edge innovations, exchange best practices with peers from around the world, and return home inspired to amplify their impact on Eswatini’s economy and environment.

Mlamuli Hlatshwayo, Head of Business & Commercial Banking at Standard Bank Eswatini, emphasised the bank’s deep-rooted commitment to the country’s growth through its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) strategy.

“Eswatini is our home, and our CSI projects are designed to drive Eswatini’s growth,” said Hlatshwayo. He highlighted education as a cornerstone of the bank’s CSI efforts and expressed pride in supporting the UNESWA Luyengo ENACTUS team.

“Entrepreneurship development is vital, especially supporting businesses at the grassroots levels. We are proud of such programmes and will continue to support them.

Hoist the Eswatini flag,” he added, underscoring the bank’s role as more than just a sponsor but a true partner in empowering young entrepreneurs.

Sabelo Dlamini, ENACTUS Eswatini Country Director, echoed the sentiments of partnership and long-term investment. He described Standard Bank’s funding as more than just financial travel support; it is an investment in Eswatini’s future.

“When we send the team to represent us at the World Cup, we don’t just want them to participate; we want them to have a transformative experience,” Dlamini stated.

He elaborated on the importance of exposure to global innovation and best practices, which the team will encounter among the 35 participating countries.

This experience is designed to ignite a passion that will propel the team to increase its impact upon returning home, fostering a ripple effect of entrepreneurship and innovation within Eswatini.

While the UNESWA Luyengo team will carry the national flag at the World Cup, Dlamini reminded the public of the many other promising projects that emerged from the national competition.

“Only one team can win to represent the country, but we witnessed many other teams with incredible ideas,” he said. ENACTUS Eswatini is committed to supporting these teams in scaling up their projects, ensuring that the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship continues to thrive across the nation.

The Nutri Plume project exemplifies the power of youth-led innovation to address real-world challenges.

By transforming chicken feathers, a waste product often linked to pollution, into a valuable organic fertiliser, the team is contributing to sustainable agriculture and environmental preservation.

Their journey to the Enactus World Cup is a testament to the potential of young entrepreneurs to drive meaningful change. Standard Bank Eswatini’s investment not only facilitates this journey but also signals confidence in the capacity of Eswatini’s youth to lead economic transformation.