The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) has launched the Kenya Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program (K- YEEAP) program that targets to create at least one million jobs for the youth and women annually for the next five years.
In line with the government’s vision for digital economy and transformation, K- YEEAP seeks to incorporate the youth in the socio-economic development of the country.
Presiding the launch event, Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua said the government is committed to ensuring the youth achieve their dreams and goals.
“I am honored to preside over this program. The youth remain central to our government’s agenda to improve the lives of the millions of the youth around the country,”
“Experts have warned us of the youth time-bomb occasioned by the jobless youth bulge. In fact, 75 per cent of Kenya’s population is below the age of 35 years,” said Gachagua.
KEPSA’s CEO Carole Kariuki noted that through leveraging technology and digital transformation, entrepreneurs will be able to scale their businesses and support services that will enable the youth to grow and create jobs.
“The main aim of KEPSA is to encourage economic development and job creation in Kenya. This initiative aims to address barriers to youth employment such as demand and absorption capacity creation, given the dual challenges of a growing youth bulge and the systemic bottlenecks that youth face when entering the labour market,” said Kariuki.
Information from the Kenya Bureau of Statistics show that approximately 800,000 young Kenyans enter the labour market every year from universities and other higher institutions of learning.
The (K- YEEAP) program is set to enhance development for about 10,000 start-ups and growth of some 200,000 small businesses in the 47 counties through creation of Business Hubs.
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