The government has opened applications for the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project, which targets Kenyan youths.
The NYOTA project is a government initiative funded by the World Bank which is aimed at increasing employment as well as income through skilling, apprenticeship and business support, in addition to inculcating a savings culture among the beneficiaries.
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Former Ministry of Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, had in December 2024 announced that the project intends to empower 820,000 unemployed youths across Kenya.
Murkomen, at the time, further said that the five-year initiative is designed to address youth unemployment by providing practical skills through apprenticeships and fostering entrepreneurship.
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In a notice on Thursday, March 27, NYOTA announced that applications for the project’s first cycle have since been opened.
Applications are open for Kenyan youth in all 47 counties, including refugees in Garissa and Turkana.
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“Are you a Kenyan youth aged 18 – 29 years or a youth living with disability aged 18 – 35 years? Do you aspire to start or expand your business in Kenya?” read part of the notice.
“Call for Youth Applications for cycle 1, countrywide, interested in business support is out.”
The program provides financial support to kickstart business ventures. This can include grants, loans, or equity investments, depending on the nature of the business and its potential for growth.
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How to qualify for the NYOTA project
To qualify, one must be a Kenyan citizen, a youth aged 18-29 years or up to 35 years for youth living with disability.
One must also not have gone beyond form 4 level of education, must have a national identity card, be unemployed, underemployed, or in low-tier employment.
Applicants must have a SIM card registered in their name and a National ID card.
NYOTA noted that the Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project (KYEOP) beneficiaries are not eligible to apply.
The apprenticeship for the program lasts 5 months, combining on-the-job training with mentorship from industry experts.
Participants can choose from various trades within digital, creative, green, blue, and grey economies.
Upon successful completion, participants will receive formal recognition of their skills through certifications such as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) from NITA.
The program includes social-emotional skills development, covering areas such as communication, leadership, and financial literacy.
“The program aims to place participants into formal employment or help them establish themselves as independent artisans,” NYOTA notes.
More details and how to apply
In addition, the program collaborates with industry leaders like the Kenya Association of Manufacturers and Kenya Film Services for placements and mentorship.
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It also offers opportunities for certification for youth with skills achieved through a range of experiences in informal and non-formal setups, such as employer-provided training or experience.
To apply, one can submit the application by dialing the USSD Code *254#, then select the NYOTA project option to proceed. Applications close on 30th April 2025.
To promote a culture of saving among youth, NYOTA has established the Haba Haba Scheme and other savings initiatives. The component provides savings incentives and matching contributions to encourage long-term financial stability.
For further enquiries and information about the project’s components, one can visit the website, www.nyotaproject.go.ke or call 0800222221.
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