The Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) is ready for the rollout of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project, an ambitious initiative set to impact youth across all 47 counties in Kenya. As the implementing agency for Component 2, MSEA is set to address barriers that limit youth participation in entrepreneurship, aligning with its mission to empower Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) and stimulate economic growth.
The NYOTA Project aims to uplift vulnerable youth by expanding employment opportunities, improving incomes, and fostering a savings culture. With a target demographic of over 800,000 youth aged 18-29, including persons with disabilities, the project prioritizes skill enhancement, entrepreneurship promotion, and financial literacy.
Mr. Augustine Mayabi, The National Project manager, and Ms. Caroline Kioko, The Project Coordinator, (component 2) addressing MSEA County heads.
Component 2, led by MSEA, focuses on youth entrepreneurship by offering training, mentorship, market linkages, and business startup capital. These interventions aim to benefit over 100,000 youth, including those in marginalized areas, ensuring inclusivity and wide-reaching impact. MSEA’s preparations include sensitizing County Heads to ensure effective grassroots implementation. This training equips County Heads with the knowledge and tools to engage youth from the ward level, fostering a clear understanding of the project’s objectives and strategies.
MSEA’s efforts are part of a collaborative framework of implementation among key stakeholders. Component 1, which focuses on improving youth employability, is led by the State Department for Youth, the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), the National Employment Authority (NEA), and the State Department for Labour. Component 2, under MSEA, addresses youth entrepreneurship through tailored interventions. Component 3, led by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), aims to support youth savings. Component 4, which focuses on project management and strengthening systems, is jointly managed by the State Department for Micro and Small Enterprises Development and the State Department for Youth.
Board Director Billy Baltazar, Chairperson of the Infrastructure and Business Development Committee, and MSEA CEO Mr. Henry Rithaa speaking on the overarching vision and the alignment of the project to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Speaking during the project’s Implementation Support Mission, MSEA CEO Mr. Henry Rithaa highlighted the Authority’s readiness to implement the project and its commitment to youth empowerment. “MSEA is committed to supporting youth entrepreneurship and driving meaningful economic change. With our nationwide reach and insights from past projects, we are ready to unlock opportunities for Kenya’s young people and achieve transformative impact,” he affirmed.
Principal Secretary for MSME Development, Hon. Susan Mang’eni, highlighted MSEA’s pivotal role in Kenya’s economic transformation under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). Addressing MSEA County Heads, she stressed the importance of fostering sustainable enterprises capable of generating jobs and contributing to economic development.
Hon. Mang’eni called for a value chain-driven approach, urging County Heads to identify opportunities in key sectors such as dairy, leather, textiles, rice production, the blue economy, and construction. By organizing and mobilizing MSEs along value chains, she emphasized unlocking local market potential and driving growth. She also advocated for a collaborative business ecosystem where County Heads engage stakeholders, foster linkages, and implement comprehensive interventions to support enterprise growth.
MSEA Board Director Billy Baltazar reinforced the need to help MSEs scale from micro to small, small to medium, and eventually to large enterprises. This strategic scaling is crucial for fostering sustainable enterprise growth and achieving long-term economic impact. National Project Manager Mr. Augustine Mayabi underscored the project’s alignment with national priorities, particularly its focus on driving economic opportunities for youth in hard-to-reach areas.
The NYOTA Project embodies a bold vision to transform the aspirations of Kenya’s youth into actionable opportunities, setting a new standard for inclusive development.
The Principal Secretary for MSME Development, Hon. Susan Mang’eni highlighted the role of micro and small enterprises in the Country’s economic transformation.
