The Government of Kenya has established several affirmative action funds and initiatives. The funds and initiatives are in different Ministries and Government Agencies with the twin objective of creating opportunities for self-employment and economic development.
The funds target the youth, women and persons living with disabilities. Once invested in businesses and micro sector enterprises, the funds have the multiplier effect of providing income for the investor, creating employment, and contributing to the growth of the economy.
Read on to find more on how you can obtain Government Financial support in Uwezo funds, Youth and Women Enterprise Funds, Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) and Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project (KYEOP).
Is an initiative under the Ministry of ICT which is aimed at introducing young people in Kenya to online work and provide the tools, training and mentorship needed for young people to work and earn an income through online work.Read more to find out how you can benefit from Ajira Digital here
The Uwezo Fund is a flagship programme under vision 2030 aimed at enabling women, youth and persons with disability access finances to promote businesses and enterprise development.
The Fund also provides mentorship opportunities to enable the beneficiaries take advantage of the 30% government procurement preference (AGPO) through its capacity building programme. The Fund is under the Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender affairs.
Uwezo Fund therefore is an Avenue for incubating enterprise, catalysing innovation, promoting industry, creating employment and growing the economy. Read on to find out how you to apply for the Uwezo Fund loanshere
Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) is an initiative that was established following a Presidential Directive in 2013 that procurement rules be amended to allow 30 per cent of Government procurement opportunities be set aside for the youth, women and persons with disability without competition from established firms. The Ministry of Finance is in charge of the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) initiative.
This affirmative action is aimed at empowering the youth, women and persons with disability-owned enterprises by giving them more opportunities to do business with Government.Read more to find out how you can participate in obtaining Government tenders and contracts here
The Youth Enterprise Development Fund is a State Corporation under the Ministry Of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs. It was established in 2006 with the strategic focus on enterprise development. The fund seeks to create employment opportunities for young people through entreprenreuralship and encourages them to be job creators rather than job seekers. It does this by providing easy and affordable financial and business support services to youth who are keen on starting or expanding businesses. Read more on how to access the funds and support here
The Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) is a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency (SAGA) in the Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs. The focus of the Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) is to provide accessible and affordable credit to support women start or expand businesses for wealth and employment creation. Read more on how to access the funds here