Thousands of young Kenyans are set to receive fresh support to grow their businesses as the government rolls out the second phase of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Programme.
The latest phase targets 122,203 young entrepreneurs across the country and comes with an investment of Ksh3.06 billion. This is an increase from the Ksh2.28 billion that was distributed during the first phase, showing the government’s continued focus on supporting youth-led businesses and creating more economic opportunities.
The programme follows a successful first phase that reached 121,800 young entrepreneurs. Before receiving financial support, more than 91,253 beneficiaries completed Business Development Services training, which equipped them with practical skills needed to start and manage businesses.
In addition, 90,478 participants completed structured mentorship programmes that guided them through the early stages of entrepreneurship. By the end of the first mentorship cycle, 96 percent of the participants had already established operating businesses, highlighting the impact of combining funding with training and mentorship.
Interest in the programme has continued to grow. More than 2.5 million young Kenyans applied to join NYOTA, demonstrating the high demand for opportunities that can help young people become financially independent.
The large number of applications also reflects the growing interest among Kenyan youth in entrepreneurship as a way of creating jobs and improving their livelihoods.
Unlike the first phase, which mainly focused on Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado counties, the second phase will expand to more regions across the country. One of the key areas of focus will be North Eastern Kenya, where the programme will now reach young entrepreneurs in Garissa, Wajir, Mandera and Marsabit counties.
This expansion is intended to ensure that more young people, regardless of where they live, have access to the same opportunities.
Senior government officials have been assigned to oversee the implementation in different regions. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale will lead activities in Garissa, while Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa will oversee Wajir.
Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho will supervise the programme in Mandera, while Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo will coordinate activities in Marsabit. Their role will be to support the first regional engagements and ensure the programme is implemented effectively.
The rollout will continue to other parts of the country. In the Western region, entrepreneurs from Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega and Vihiga counties will participate under the leadership of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
The Central Rift cluster, covering Baringo, Nakuru and Nyandarua counties, will be overseen by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
At the Coast, entrepreneurs from Mombasa, Kwale and Taita Taveta will form the Lower Coast Cluster under Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya. Those from Kilifi, Lamu and Tana River will participate in the Upper Coast Cluster, which will be led by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.
The second phase will support both new and existing beneficiaries. A total of 33,269 first-time participants will receive their first business grants, while 88,934 entrepreneurs who benefited in the first phase will receive a second round of financing to help strengthen and expand their businesses.
This marks a shift in the programme from simply helping young people start businesses to helping them grow into sustainable enterprises.
Government projections indicate that the continued growth of these businesses could create between 150,000 and 250,000 additional jobs. Such growth is expected to strengthen Kenya’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprise sector while giving more young people opportunities to earn a living and employ others.
The programme is also looking beyond funding. The government plans to work with county governments to reduce challenges faced by young entrepreneurs, including business permits and licensing requirements. Plans are also underway to introduce a unique identity for NYOTA entrepreneurs to make it easier for them to access targeted government support.
At the same time, beneficiaries will be linked to larger financing opportunities through the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, the Uwezo Fund, Kenya Industrial Estates and the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation programme.
With another 122,203 young entrepreneurs set to benefit during this phase, the NYOTA Programme aims to expand opportunities for youth-owned businesses while supporting long-term enterprise growth across different regions of Kenya.
