By Mandere Onyinkwa
The Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development has launched the second phase of mandatory classroom training under the NYOTA Project, marking a major step in Kenya’s youth enterprise empowerment agenda.
The rollout, which began on Monday, 20th April 2026, is taking place in 454 mapped centres across all 290 constituencies, ensuring nationwide coverage.
More than 6,000 trainers have been mobilized to deliver the sessions, underscoring the scale and ambition of the program.
This classroom training follows a highly successful mentorship program that demonstrated strong entrepreneurial commitment among the youth.
According to the Ministry, 97 per cent of beneficiaries who received the first tranche of start-up capital participated in mentorship sessions, while 99 per cent of those engaged during the mentorship period have already established their businesses.
These figures highlight the effectiveness of the mentorship phase in laying a solid foundation for sustainable enterprise growth.
Beneficiaries who completed the mentorship program have now been invited to undertake the classroom training.
The sessions are designed to address business skills gaps identified during mentorship and to enhance the capacity of young entrepreneurs to grow and sustain their ventures.
Successful participants will qualify for the disbursement of the second tranche of start-up capital and entry into the next mentorship cycle, ensuring continued support for their entrepreneurial journey.
Principal Secretary Susan Mang’eni, CBS, reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to strengthening youth enterprises through the NYOTA Project.
She emphasized that the initiative is a cornerstone in advancing Kenya’s economic transformation by equipping young people with practical business skills and opportunities to thrive.
The NYOTA Project — National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement — continues to embody its guiding vision: Kuza, Imarisha, Endeleza Vijana! (Nurture, Strengthen, Advance the Youth).