The Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) has officially commenced entrepreneurship training under Component 2 of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project in the Western region counties of Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, and Busia, marking a significant milestone in empowering Kenya’s youth to become successful entrepreneurs.
Speaking during a press briefing, the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, Hon. FCPA Dr. Wycliffe Oparanya, EGH, announced the start of the training which will equip thousands of young beneficiaries with critical knowledge on business planning, financial management, required to successfully start and run a business.
Dr. Oparanya emphasized that the NYOTA Project is a key pillar in the government’s youth economic empowerment agenda, designed to increase employment, enhance earnings, and promote a culture of savings among vulnerable youth across all 1450 wards in Kenya. The five-year project, implemented in partnership with the World Bank, targets more than 800,000 youth aged between 18 and 29 years, with an extended age limit of up to 35 years for Persons with Disabilities. By focusing on youth with limited formal education and economic opportunities, NYOTA seeks to create a more inclusive pathway to entrepreneurship and job creation.
Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Hon. FCPA Dr. Wycliffe Oparanya, EGH, flanked by the Principal Secretary, State Department for MSMEs Development, Hon. Susan Mang’eni, the Director General of MSEA, Mr. Henry Rithaa, and the NYOTA National Project Manager, Mr. Augustine Mayabi during the press briefing.
The Cabinet Secretary was joined by the Principal Secretary, State Department for MSMEs Development, Hon. Susan Mang’eni, the Director General of MSEA, Mr. Henry Rithaa, and the NYOTA National Project Manager, Mr. Augustine Mayabi, in underscoring the government’s commitment to implementing quality training and ensuring its impact is felt across the country.
This week-long training exercise will be followed by two months of intensive mentorship during which beneficiaries will work closely with business development experts to refine their business ideas and prepare them for execution. Once the training phase is completed, participants will receive start-up capital, of Kes. 50,000 per beneficiary, to enable them to launch and scale their enterprises.
The implementation of Component 2 has been organized into three (3) cohorts and eight (8) national clusters to ensure timely and efficient coverage across all 47 counties. The Western region roll-out represents the first cluster, with subsequent clusters to follow in the coming months. The formal launch of the NYOTA Project will coincide with the disbursement of start-up capital to the trained beneficiaries in Cluster 1 and will be presided over by H.E. President William Ruto.
This is a coordinated national effort to build a generation of young entrepreneurs, skilled workers, and empowered citizens who will drive Kenya’s economic transformation. By combining skills development, mentorship, start-up financing, and a supportive policy environment, NYOTA is laying a strong foundation for sustainable youth-led growth. Kenyans are encouraged to follow MSEA’s official communication channels to stay updated on progress, success stories, and opportunities to engage with this transformative program.
