NYOTA Project: Kenya’s Bold Step to Empower 800,000 Youth

The Government of Kenya has unveiled a transformative national program, the NYOTA Project (National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement), an ambitious five-year initiative designed to expand youth employment, enhance earnings, and foster a culture of savings.

Led by Hon. FCPA Dr. Wycliffe Oparanya, Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives & MSMEs Development, and Hon. Susan Mang’eni, C.B.S., Principal Secretary for MSMEs Development, the project brings together multiple state departments, agencies, and the World Bank as its financing partner.

Also involved are the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), the National Employment Authority (NEA), the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), alongside over 60 private sector partners selected to provide mentorship and incubation.

A Youth-Centered National Vision

The NYOTA Project targets over 800,000 vulnerable young people aged 18–29, and up to 35 for persons living with disabilities. It prioritizes youth with limited formal education and constrained access to opportunities, aiming to bridge gaps in employment, enterprise, and financial inclusion.

“The MSME sector is one of the most critical pillars of Kenya’s economic transformation,” said CS Oparanya.

Four Core Components

PS Susan Mang’eni outlined the structure of the program, anchored on four key pillars:

1. Youth Employability: Training, entrepreneurship certification, and work placement.

2. Enterprise Opportunities: Business training, mentorship, and KSh 50,000 seed capital for 70 youth in every ward.

3. Savings Culture: The Hapa Hapa savings scheme under NSSF to strengthen financial resilience.

4. Systems Strengthening: Digital skills, financial access, and support for youth to access government procurement (AGPO).

“These four pillars are not one-off interventions but a framework for lasting empowerment,” Mang’eni noted.

Nationwide Reach: From Clusters to Constituencies

The project will be rolled out in eight regional clusters, covering all 47 counties, with training taking place at constituency level for accessibility.

The first training phase is already underway in Western Kenya counties (Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, and Busia). Cohorts will progress through classroom training, mentorship, and startup capital disbursement, supported by business development experts.

Ultimately, NYOTA will deliver:

• 110,000 youth entrepreneurs

• 20,000 artisans certified under Recognition of Prior Learning

• 90,000 youth skilled and connected to employment

• 600,000 youth accessing government procurement opportunities

Scale and Selection

Earlier this year, over 1.4 million applications were received via the free USSD code *254#. Beneficiaries were selected through a digital system that factored in education, disability, and an entrepreneurship aptitude test.

The KSh 3 billion program, supported by the World Bank, reflects the government’s commitment to scaling youth opportunities at unprecedented levels.

What’s Next

The formal national launch, including the first disbursement of startup capital, will be presided over by H.E. President William Ruto in the coming weeks.

For young Kenyans, NYOTA signals a clear shift: a structured, inclusive, and well-financed pathway to employment and enterprise.

Conclusion

The NYOTA Project is a national blueprint for opportunity, a promise of empowerment for hundreds of thousands, and a symbol of Kenya’s commitment to ensuring its young people can thrive in the economy of tomorrow