More than 200,000 young Kenyans have applied for the newly launched NYOTA Business Support Programme, a government initiative offering non-refundable Sh50,000 grants to help youth start or expand their businesses. The programme, which targets young entrepreneurs across all 47 counties, seeks to reduce unemployment while spurring grassroots economic growth and innovation.
The Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development is spearheading the rollout under Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, who said the funds are grants rather than loans. He explained that the aim is to empower youth to build sustainable livelihoods without the burden of repayment, while also promoting self-reliance and financial discipline among upcoming entrepreneurs.
Oparanya noted that NYOTA forms part of the government’s broader strategy to boost self-employment and nurture innovation-driven enterprises. He said the programme complements the Hustler Fund, describing the two initiatives as mutually supportive in enabling small and micro-businesses to grow into stronger economic drivers at the community level.
To ensure the initiative’s success, the rollout combines financial and technical support. Beneficiaries will receive hands-on business training and long-term mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and professionals, helping them to develop management skills, maintain accountability, and sustain profitability. Chiefs and assistant chiefs in every county have also been trained to monitor progress, track fund utilization, and submit regular reports to enhance transparency and oversight.
The NYOTA programme also integrates a savings and discipline element, requiring beneficiaries to save a portion of their business earnings. Access to the accumulated savings will depend on compliance with programme guidelines, which Oparanya said is meant to instill consistency, patience, and responsible financial behavior among youth. He emphasized that cultivating good repayment habits and maintaining clean credit records build trust — a critical foundation for any successful business venture.
Oparanya further revealed that NYOTA is being run digitally, allowing youth to submit applications through an accessible online platform designed to be transparent and free from political interference. The system is available nationwide, ensuring equitable access and eliminating bureaucratic barriers that often discourage young entrepreneurs.
He urged beneficiaries to invest the grant money in their local communities, create employment opportunities, and promote sustainable economic growth. According to Oparanya, empowering young people to establish enterprises at the grassroots will not only transform local economies but also strengthen Kenya’s long-term development agenda by nurturing a new generation of self-reliant entrepreneurs.
