Youth Empowerment Initiatives
Key Government of Kenya programmes for young people, covering jobs, enterprise development, digital work, skills training, talent and financial inclusion.
NYOTA Project (National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement)
What it is: A five-year Government of Kenya programme financed by the World Bank, focused on youth employability, enterprise and savings.
- Who it's for
- Unemployed youth aged 18–29 (up to 35 for persons with disabilities) with Form 4 education or below
- Benefits
- Skills training, recognition of prior learning (RPL) certification, business support, financial literacy and savings incentives
- Targets
- 820,000 youth in total, including 90,000 trained, 20,000 certified through RPL and 110,000 young entrepreneurs supported
Ajira Digital Programme
What it is: A programme preparing young people for online work and digital jobs.
- Benefits
- Digital skills, freelancing opportunities, remote income
- Achievements
- Expanded access to global digital work platforms
Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF)
What it is: A government fund supporting youth-owned businesses.
- Benefits
- Loans, business support, market linkages
- Achievements
- Long-standing national youth financing mechanism
Uwezo Fund
What it is: A fund providing accessible financing to youth, women and persons with disabilities.
- Benefits
- Group financing, grassroots enterprise support
- Achievements
- Community-level economic empowerment
Youth Empowerment Centres (YECs)
What it is: Government youth hubs offering mentorship, ICT access and support services.
- Benefits
- ICT access, mentorship, networking
- Where
- Centres across the counties; check with the State Department for Youth Affairs for the centre nearest you
National Youth Service (NYS)
What it is: A national service programme offering vocational training and discipline.
- Benefits
- Skills training, employability, leadership
- Achievements
- Long-standing youth development institution
Talanta Hela Initiative
What it is: A programme for nurturing and monetising young people's talent in sports and the creative industries.
- Benefits
- Talent development, monetisation opportunities
- Achievements
- Launch of the Talanta Hela digital platform
Kazi Mtaani Programme
What it is: A public works programme providing temporary jobs for young people.
- Benefits
- Income support, community service
- Achievements
- Major youth engagement programme during COVID-19
KYEOP (Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project)
What it is: A World Bank-supported youth employment project and the predecessor to NYOTA.
- Benefits
- Training, internships, business grants
- Achievements
- Reached over 310,000 young people, half of them women
Programme details change over time. Always confirm eligibility and how to apply on each programme's official website.
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