Kenya’s youth have a new resource for technical, vocational and entrepreneurial training that is set to boost self-employment, reduce reliance on formal employment and contribute to Kenya’s socio-economic development.
The African Development Bank’s Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund unveiled its Technical and Vocational Education and Training Entrepreneurship Project at a ceremony in Nairobi on 29 April. “We aim to enhance youth employability, strengthen the linkage between technical, vocational education and training institutions and industry, and support smooth transitions from training to meaningful employment. This project reflects our collective commitment to inclusive development that delivers real impact for our youth,” said Dr Esther Muoria, Kenya’s Principal Secretary, State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training.
The Kenyan Ministry of Education’s State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training is working with project implementing partner, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, to roll out the Bank-financed initiative. The project seeks to bridge the gap between training and employment by developing the skills of young people, supporting entrepreneurship, and linking graduates to the private sector. The project, aims to place graduates of technical and vocational education training or entrepreneurship programs in 1,200 jobs.
Aggrey Ndombi, African Development Bank Senior Education Economist who serves as co-task manager for the Technical and Vocational Education and Training – Entrepreneurship Project, said: “The Bank views technical and vocational training as critical for youth skills development. We are supporting this project in Kenya to align the vocational and technical training with market demands to improve the quality and employability of technical and vocational education.”
The African Development Bank supports the development of small and medium-sized enterprises to expand the private sector, formalise the informal economy, and create decent and sustainable jobs, especially for youth. Ndombi told the launch ceremony audience that Bank’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training Entrepreneurship Project complements the government’s efforts to position young people in meaningful roles in economic development.
Kenya Private Sector Alliance Chief Executive Officer, Carole Kariuki, said it was essential to align technical and vocational education with current industry needs.
“I see Africa’s growing youth population not as a burden, but as a powerful demographic advantage. We must be intentional about equipping our young people with practical skills, entrepreneurial competencies, and digital literacy,” said Kariuki.
“These are the tools that will position them to thrive, not only in traditional jobs, but in the rapidly expanding spaces of artificial intelligence and online work. We must also confront the gap between education and employment,” she added.
This initiative aligns with Kenya’s prioritisation of industrialisation and economic transformation through a skilled workforce. It supports the country’s job creation and manufacturing policies by ensuring that training institutions produce graduates who meet industry needs.
The African Development Bank’s Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund is a grant facility supporting African entrepreneurship and promoting youth job creation. The Fund focuses on equipping youth-led start-ups as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises with skills and financial support, and supporting countries in implementing reform to create an enabling environment for job creation.
The African Development Bank’s Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund is a grant facility supporting African entrepreneurship and promoting youth job creation. The Fund focuses on equipping youth-led start-ups as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises with skills and financial support, and supporting countries in implementing reform to create an enabling environment for job creation.
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