The government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has announced that beneficiaries of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project will receive the second tranche of start-up capital by June 30, 2026, following efforts to address funding challenges that had slowed the process.
The announcement was made by Principal Secretary for the State Department for MSMEs Development, Susan Mang’eni, who said all eligible beneficiaries would receive the funds at the same time. The move departs from the earlier plan of releasing the money in phases.
NYOTA is a five-year programme designed to promote youth employment and entrepreneurship among vulnerable and marginalised young people across Kenya.
The initiative supports participants through skills training, recognition of prior learning, apprenticeships, mentorship, business development training, savings mobilisation and market access opportunities, including Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) training.
The programme also targets young people living in Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps as well as members of surrounding host communities.
Government records indicate that implementation of the project began in March 2025 under its Business Support Component and attracted nearly two million applicants from across the country.
“So far, 122,147 young people from all 1,450 wards have benefited from the initiative. Participants were selected through an Entrepreneurial Aptitude Test (EAT) before undertaking business development training, mentorship and receiving an initial start-up grant of Ksh.25,000. An additional Ksh.3,000 was set aside under the NSSF Haba Haba savings programme,” said Susan Mang’eni.
Following the completion of the second phase of Business Development Support training in April, beneficiaries are expected to receive the next round of capital alongside continued mentorship to help strengthen and grow their enterprises.
The government acknowledged that the release of funds had been delayed due to budgetary pressures arising from the concentration of programme financing within a single financial year.
Officials said the National Treasury is working to address the funding gaps to facilitate the smooth implementation of the project and ensure the successful completion of its first phase within the current financial year.
The NYOTA programme is expected to play a significant role in expanding economic opportunities for young people by supporting entrepreneurship, improving employability and promoting sustainable livelihoods across the country.
