The project targets 820,000 vulnerable youth across all 47 counties who meet the following criteria:

a)    Age: 18–29 years (up to 35 for Persons with Disabilities).

b)    Education: Form 4 level of education or below.

c)     Employment status: Unemployed, underemployed, or working in low-income jobs.

Is there a cost to participate?

No. Participation in the NYOTA project is FREE. An applicant is not required to pay any fee or service charge to be enrolled in the project.

The project aims to:

a)    Increase youth employment, earnings, and savings.

b)   Strengthen systems that promote sustainable youth empowerment.

c)    Enhance access to financial services and opportunities for entrepreneurship.

d)   Equip youth with in-demand skills guided by labour market trends.

a)   

NYOTA has four interventions implemented through a multiagency approach:

                    I.    Improving Youth Employability

a)    Training 90,000 youth in socio-emotional and work-readiness skills.

b)   Providing apprenticeships (On-the-Job Experience).

c)    Certifying 20,000 youth through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Implemented by: The State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy (SDYACE), National Employment Authority (NEA), National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), and the State Department for Labour and Skills Development (SDL).

                   II.        Expanding Employment Opportunities

a)    Supporting 110,000 youth to start or expand businesses.

b)   Includes business training, mentorship, start-up capital, and financial linkages.

Implemented by: Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA).

                 III.        Supporting Youth Savings

a)    190,000 beneficiaries from the first and second interventions enrolled in NSSF’s ‘Haba Haba’ Savings Scheme.

b)   Includes automatic savings deductions, matched savings incentives, maternity benefits for young mothers, and basic financial literacy training

Implemented by: National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

             IV.      Strengthening Youth Employment Systems

a)    Digital skilling of 600,000 youth on accessing government procurement opportunities and catalytic funds to build sustainable businesses

b)   Capacity building for national and county government actors to strengthen multi-sectoral partnerships for youth development

c)    Enhancing coordination of youth empowerment initiatives.

Implemented by: SDYACE and the State Department for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development (SD-MSMED)

Applications are reviewed to determine whether they meet the eligibility criteria. Selection is then done through a randomized process.

 How can I confirm that my application was received?

After submitting your application, you will receive an SMS confirmation to acknowledge receipt.

How will I know if I have been shortlisted?

Those who are selected will receive official communication through an SMS from “NYOTA” project, guiding them on the next steps.

Yes. If you are not selected for one intervention, you may still benefit from another. However, you cannot benefit from more than one intervention.

 Will there be future application windows?

The project may open additional application windows. These will be announced through the official NYOTA website and social media channels. Applicants are encouraged to stay tuned for updates.

Pre-selected beneficiaries of the Business Support intervention undertake the EAT to assess applicants’ entrepreneurial mindset and readiness, as well as the levels of intervention needed by the youth.

After selection, beneficiaries will be expected to attend a four-day business services training, after which they will receive KES 50,000 in start-up capital, disbursed in two tranches of KES 25,000 each. 

NOTE: Beneficiaries must attend and complete all required training and mentorship sessions. Start-up capital is only released upon successful participation.

Yes. Participants who complete On-the-Job Experience (OJE) or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will receive a nationally recognized certificate. 

Yes. Persons with Disabilities up to the age of 35 years can apply. Project design also incorporates inclusive approaches to ensure accessibility.

Once selected for the NYOTA project, you're automatically registered as an NSSF Haba Haba member and issued a member number.

When can I access my money from the Haba haba savings account? 

Only the short-term portion (30%) is available after 1 year. The rest is secured for your future.

Are NYOTA Project savings taxable?

NSSF savings are tax-deductible up to a limit of Kes 30,000 per month.

1. Follow NYOTA Official Platforms on:

• Twitter/X: https://x.com/NYOTA_Kenya 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyota_kenya/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NYOTAProjectKenya/ 
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NYOTAKenya 
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nyota_kenya 
• NYOTA Website: www.nyotaproject.go.ke

2.    Who can I contact for more information?

a)    NYOTA Project

·       Toll-Free line: 0800 222 221 or Email: info@nyotaproject.go.ke

b)   National Government – Youth Development Offices at the Counties and Sub Counties

c)    National Industrial Training Authority Offices at the Counties

d)   Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (Business Support Intervention)

·       Phone: 0700 666 000 or visit the County field offices: https://msea.go.ke/msea-county-offices/

e)    National Social Security Fund Offices Countrywide

·       Toll-Free line: 0800 221 2744 or visit https://www.nssf.or.ke/haba-haba-na-nssf