From 20th to 23rd April 2026, Kenya marked a significant step forward in youth economic empowerment as the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) successfully rolled out Phase 2 of the NYOTA Business Development Skills (BDS) Classroom Training. This was a large-scale, coordinated national exercise conducted simultaneously across all 47 counties and 290 constituencies.
The National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project is a five-year Government of Kenya initiative, supported by the World Bank, aimed at tackling youth unemployment, boosting income generation, and strengthening a culture of saving. Anchored within the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the project seeks to expand employment opportunities, increase earnings, and build long-term financial resilience among young people.
The project is implemented through four key components. The first focuses on improving youth employability through skills development, apprenticeships, and job placement, led by the State Department for Youth, the State Department for Labour, the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), and the National Employment Authority (NEA). The second component, implemented by MSEA, supports entrepreneurship by offering business development training, mentorship, start-up capital, and results-based financing. The third component, led by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), promotes a savings culture through financial literacy and incentives, while the fourth strengthens systems for youth employment and project coordination under the State Departments responsible for Youth and MSMEs.
The April 2026 Phase 2 BDS Classroom Training stood out as a major logistical and operational success. Conducted simultaneously in 454 training centers and facilitated by over 6,000 trainers, the four-day exercise brought together approximately 121,000 youth, including persons living with disabilities. By reaching every county and constituency, the program ensured inclusivity and equal access to opportunity regardless of location.
Moments captured during the classroom training across the country.
Importantly, this training was not an introduction to entrepreneurship for the participants. It was the second phase of structured support under the NYOTA Project, following an earlier round of funding and mentorship. Many of the young entrepreneurs attending had already started or expanded their businesses, making the sessions highly practical and experience-driven. Participants engaged with the content as active entrepreneurs, bringing real challenges and gaining solutions they could immediately apply. The training focused on equipping youth with essential business skills, including financial management, record keeping, understanding debt, market analysis, and customer retention. These areas address common pitfalls that limit the growth of small enterprises, empowering participants to make informed decisions and build more sustainable businesses.
During the training, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, Hon. Dr. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, visited participants in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, alongside MSEA Director General Mr. Henry Rithaa. Members of the MSEA Board also visited various counties to interact directly with beneficiaries. These engagements provided an opportunity for leaders to hear firsthand the realities young entrepreneurs face, while offering guidance on identifying market opportunities and scaling their businesses.
Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, Hon. Dr. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya giving his remarks during his visit to the NYOTA BDS trainees in Mwea, Kirinyaga County.
The Cabinet Secretary commended the progress made so far, noting that many beneficiaries had already established businesses following the initial phase of support. He emphasized that the BDS training is critical in bridging skills gaps, particularly in financial management, as participants prepare for the next phase of funding. He also reiterated that completing the training is a key requirement for accessing additional business capital.
“I am encouraged by the progress of this program, which is creating real opportunities for enterprise development. I urge beneficiaries to fully utilize the training and support provided to build sustainable businesses, as entrepreneurship remains a key pathway to economic empowerment and self-reliance.”
— Hon. Dr. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development
MSEA Director General Mr. Henry Rithaa underscored the importance of accountability and strategic investment, urging beneficiaries to utilize both the training and financial support effectively to achieve long-term growth.
MSEA Director General Mr. Henry Rithaa giving his remarks.
Beyond the impressive scale and numbers, the NYOTA BDS Classroom Training represents something far more meaningful a deliberate investment in the potential of Kenya’s youth. It is about equipping young people not just with capital, but with the mindset, skills, and confidence to build enterprises that can withstand challenges and grow over time.
As beneficiaries transition into the next phase of the program, they do so with stronger business foundations and clearer direction. This translates into more resilient enterprises, increased income at household level, and ultimately, a stronger and more inclusive economy.
This milestone reaffirms MSEA’s central role in nurturing entrepreneurship across the country. By delivering structured, practical, and accessible business support at scale, the Authority continues to empower youth to become job creators rather than job seekers contributing directly to national development and the realization of Kenya’s economic transformation agenda.
