NYOTA PROJECT LAUNCHES FIRST COHORT OF BUSINESS SUPPORT COMPONENT IN WESTERN REGION
The NYOTA Project, a World Bank–financed youth empowerment program, launched its first Business Support cohort in Western Kenya, with over 13,000 youth receiving startup grants to boost local enterprise.
The National Youths Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project today officially launched the first tranche of its Business Support Component in the Western region, covering Bungoma, Vihiga, Busia and Kakamega counties.
The launch event, held at Mumias Sports Complex and graced by H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, marked a significant milestone in empowering young entrepreneurs across the country.
Over 13,000 successful youth beneficiaries each received KSh. 25,000 as the first tranche of business grants after completing a four-day Business Development Services (BDS) Training. The second disbursement, to be made after mentorship and enterprise evaluation sessions, will bring the total support to KSh. 50,000 per youth. This rollout marks the start of the nationwide implementation, targeting 84 youth per ward across all 1,450 wards.
President Ruto reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering young Kenyans under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). He emphasized that NYOTA’s inclusive design ensures participation of persons with disabilities, young mothers, marginalized groups, and refugees.
“In the next ten days, we want to have completed this project. Every young person who has qualified should receive the first tranche so that we can elevate the business environment of our young people,” H.E Dr.William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya.
The event brought together National and County leaders alongside Development partners, including, Cabinet Secretaries; Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary; Hon. Salim Mvurya, Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, and Hon. Dr. Wycliffe Oparanya, EGH, Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
Accompanied by several World bank Group officials, the World Bank Country Director Mr Qimiao Fan reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting youth employment initiatives:
“The NYOTA project is one of the solutions to address the complex challenges of youth employment,” he said.
Governors from the four counties applauded the project and announced a two-year waiver on business licenses for beneficiaries. They also pledged additional support, including access to County Biashara Funds, stalls, and AGPO-linked tenders.
PS Jacobs described NYOTA as “a pragmatic initiative providing financial grants and skills development support to enable young people to start and grow sustainable businesses.”
PS Mang’eni on the other hand urged the beneficiaries to spend the funds responsibly noting that it was aimed to transform lives and not just a handout.
What the NYOTA Project Offers
NYOTA is a World Bank - financed Government of Kenya project that aims to enhance youth employability and enterprise development while support youth savings. It targets unemployed youth aged 18–29 years, and up to 35 years for Persons with Disabilities.
Implemented through a multiagency approach, the project is coordinated by State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy. The other agencies include State Department for Labour and Skills Development, State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, National Industrial Training Authority, National Employment Authority, Micro and Small Enterprises Authority and National Social Security Fund.
The project is focuses on four key interventions:
- Skills and Certification
- Business Support
- Youth savings
- Strengthening employment systems:
On-the-Job Experience (OJE): Provides structured apprenticeships for over 90,000 youth to gain hands-on technical and workplace skills, culminating in professional certification.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Certifies informally acquired skills, particularly for youth in the informal sector linking them to informal employment opportunities.
Provides KSh. 50,000 seed capital to 100,000 young entrepreneurs nationwide to start or expand small-scale enterprises.
190,000 beneficiaries will be enrolled into an NSSF-managed savings scheme, with personal savings matched by the program. Expectant youth will receive maternity income replacement support during postnatal care
The NYOTA Project seeks to digitally skill 600,000 youth on AGPO, e-GP and Catalytic Funds to enable them access government tenders, e-procurement platforms, and funding opportunities. It will also promote sustainability through youth-focused legislation, capacity building for government agencies, and enhanced coordination, monitoring, and data systems to ensure efficiency, transparency, and long-term impact.
The Road Ahead
In the coming weeks, the remaining regional clusters will undergo entrepreneurship and business skills training before receiving their disbursements.
The NYOTA Project continues to shape a new generation of young entrepreneurs who are innovative, empowered, and ready to drive Kenya’s economic transformation. It responds to Kenya’s vision of inclusive growth by linking skills, enterprise, and innovation with social protection and policy reform.
