Government Launches Sh33 Billion Youth Empowerment Project in Partnership with World Bank

Kakamega, Kenya – September 19, 2025: The government has rolled out a Sh33 billion youth empowerment programme aimed at tackling unemployment and equipping young people with entrepreneurial skills and start-up capital. The initiative, known as the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project, will run for five years in partnership with the World Bank.

Speaking at the launch in Kakamega Youth Polytechnic, Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya said the project seeks to harness the potential of Kenya’s youthful population, 70 percent of whom are under 35 years. “With close to 98 percent of jobs found in the MSME sector, this programme will provide Sh50,000 in start-up capital for each beneficiary to establish income-generating activities,” he said.

Oparanya noted that Kenya has about 35 million youth, of whom 20 million are able-bodied and capable of work. Already, the informal sector employs around 17 million youth, contributing nearly 40 percent of the country’s GDP. He said strengthening entrepreneurship among young people is key to sustaining economic growth.

The CS revealed that the NYOTA programme attracted 1.4 million applications from youth aged 18–29, and up to 35 for persons with disabilities. After vetting, 110,000 beneficiaries were selected and spread across the 1,450 wards nationwide. The start-up capital will be disbursed in phases, accompanied by mentorship and business development support to ensure sustainability.

While urging beneficiaries to embrace discipline and accountability, Oparanya encouraged them to form strong groups that can tap into government contracts through the 30 percent Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) framework. “This programme is about more than funding—it is about creating a national platform for young people to realize their aspirations,” he emphasized.