As graduates enter the job market, the number of those employed still lag at 50,000 in year. For Kenya to curb this, it works with non-governmental instit
utions to enhance entrepreneurial culture thus promoting self-employment among youths. The institutions offer entrepreneurship training, financial, and advisory support to the youths. Through this, youths are also able to get market and finance for the startups and small enterprises. Here are institutions that promote youth entrepreneurship in Kenya.
- Youth Entrepreneurship Facility
The facility is part of labor organization that supports emerging and existing entrepreneurship to succeed in their business venture. It provides the support through promoting entrepreneurial culture. The institution also enables youths to engage in gainful enterprise initiatives that reach beyond the profit definition of the business. It also allows them access finance through partnership with local bank. Youth Entrepreneurship Facility incorporates business related courses into university and collage curriculum and support business development.
- Youth Polytechnics
Funded by the government, Kenya youth polytechnic has a developed curriculum that is geared towards equipping youths with skills that enhance entrepreneurial culture. The National Christian Council of Kenya established it in 1968 to offer technical and vocational skills to enhance their employment. The curriculum comprises of agro-business development; food processing technology; electrical and electronics technology; metal processing technology among others.
- Regional Centre of Enterprise Development
Located at Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology (JKUAT), the center enhances entrepreneurial, managerial and research. Thus, the organization offers excellence in medium, small enterprise sensation.
- Kenya community development fund
Formed in 1997, KCDF is a public foundation that enhances entrepreneurial culture by enabling youths to access finance and support. Though its capacity building fund, the institution provides grand schemes for the youth led organization and association activity thus participating in promotion of entrepreneurship. It also enhances the access to finance, support services and promotion of youth entrepreneurship.
- Youth Enterprise Development Fund
Established 2006, the institution aims at addressing youth unemployment. The fund provides loans to the youth aged between 18 and 35, who are in business or those interested in entrepreneurship. The loans are disbursed directly through various loan products and through 36 regulated financial intermediaries such as banks and microfinance institutions.
- Uwezo Fund
Launched in 2013 by president Uhuru, the institution provides loans to youths through registered groups. It has offices located in every constituency where youth can get loans as individuals or groups to start a business. The funds also seek to expand access to finance and promote youth-led enterprises at constituency level.
- Safaricom Foundation
Established in 2003, the n institution offers funds to assist youth-owned business in Kenya that lacks access to micro credit. This is achieved through its two partners, Junior Achievement Kenya (JA) and Hand in Hand Eastern Africa (HiHEA), who offer business training. . The Fund is available to individuals and community groups/alumni that do not have access to credit, including young people out of school. Applicants must undergo business training with either partners and demonstrate interest to save. The trainee then applies for the funding through the respective trainer.
- Junior Achievement Kenya
Junior achievement Kenya equips high school students and youths aged 18 and 24 with skills that enable them run start-ups and instil entrepreneurial spirit in them. More than 30000 youths and 500 schools have benefited through its 15-week program. Youth Junior Youth was established in 1999 in partnership with the ministry of education and the private sector. It is located along Masaba road, off Bunyala road, Nairobi.
- Kenya Entrepreneurship Empowerment Foundation
Established in 2004, KEEF promotes youth empowerment through micro credit to youth-owned micro enterprises. Through its Youth Village Development Initiative program, youth in rural areas are able to access funds in form of loans through there solidarity groups. It is located in Nyeri.
- Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship, Sage Kenya
A global community for teenagers that aims at creating entrepreneurs whose innovations address social and the world unmet needs. They are currently working in western Kenya by linking students to role models who enable them compete globally in business. Started in 2009, SAGE Kenya has also worked with high schools within Kisumu East and West District to induce entrepreneurship. The organization also has a mentorship programme working with universities and polytechnics to assign one to two student mentors to each high school to assist participating schools to prepare for district competitions.
By Catherine Akuku
