The National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project, marked a key milestone as key stakeholders convened for an Implementation Support Mission to take stock of progress, address emerging challenges, and plan the next phase of interventions. The mission brought together all implementing partners under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, and other government and development actors, affirming a collective commitment to ensuring the successful nationwide implementation of the project.
As part of the mission, the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, H.E. Salim Mvurya, held high level discussions with Hon. Wycliffe A. Oparanya, EGH. Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development. The two leaders reiterated the government’s resolve to fast-track NYOTA’s implementation and address any challenges that could arise. Their joint commitment reflects the importance the government places on empowering young people through sustainable livelihoods and economic inclusion.
Above, Cabinet Secretaries, Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya, Hon. Salim Mvurya, Ministry of Youth affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Principal Secretaries, Hon. Susan Mang’eni, State Department for MSMEs, and Hon. Fikirini Jacobs, State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy.
Since the roll-out of Component 2; Business Support; the response has been especially positive. Following a nationwide call for applications that ran from 28th March to 15th May 2025 (after a two-week extension), the project registered an overwhelming response, receiving over one million applications from youth across all 47 counties. This turnout speaks volumes about the demand for meaningful entrepreneurship support among the young people.
Currently, the project is in the eligibility screening phase, where submitted applications are being assessed to ensure compliance with the set criteria. Once this stage is completed, eligible applicants will be invited to undertake an Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test, a critical step in identifying youth with strong entrepreneurial potential. This test is designed not only to evaluate applicants’ business acumen but also to ensure the success of the subsequent interventions, including comprehensive business development training, business mentorship, and access to start-up capital.
Beyond business development, NYOTA is also preparing to roll out the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) component. The RPL component supports the project’s broader objective to enhance employability by acknowledging and certifying skills that youth have acquired through informal and non-formal means. This is especially critical in a context where many young people possess practical experience but lack formal certification.
The Implementation Support Mission provided a platform for all partners to assess progress holistically, aligning timelines, refining implementation strategies, and coordinating efforts across the project’s multiple components. It underscored NYOTA’s objective to reach over 800,000 youth aged 18–29 years and up to 35 years for youth with disabilities through skills training, entrepreneurship development, RPL certification, and the cultivation of a strong savings culture.
Pictorial from the ISM wrap up meeting
