The Kenyan government has extended the mentorship deadline under the NYOTA programme to April 8, 2026, giving more young entrepreneurs time to complete a key requirement before advancing to the next phase of training.
The extension, announced by the State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), comes as the programme prepares to roll out its second phase of classroom-based business training later this month.
Mentorship Phase Nearing Completion
The mentorship programme, part of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) initiative, has been running nationwide since early March across all 1,450 wards.
It includes hands-on support such as site visits, business coaching, peer learning, and networking opportunities aimed at equipping youth with practical entrepreneurial skills.
According to programme data, about 94 per cent of beneficiaries who received the first tranche of funding have already completed mentorship. Of these, an overwhelming 98 per cent have successfully launched their businesses, while a small fraction are still in the process.
Focus on First-Time Entrepreneurs
The programme is largely targeting young people at the beginning of their business journeys.
Data shows that:
- 65 per cent of participants are first-time entrepreneurs
- 19 per cent have less than one year of experience
- 13 per cent have operated for one to three years
- Only 3 per cent have over three years of experience
This highlights the programme’s focus on nurturing new entrants into Kenya’s business ecosystem.
Gender participation has also remained balanced, with women accounting for 51 per cent of beneficiaries and men 49 per cent.
Agriculture Leads Key Sectors
Sectoral distribution shows that agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fisheries dominate, accounting for 41 per cent of supported enterprises.
Other sectors include:
- Wholesale and retail (26 per cent)
- Fashion and design (11 per cent)
- Beauty and cosmetics (7 per cent)
Additional areas such as ICT, manufacturing, tourism, and transport are also represented, reflecting a diverse spread of youth-led ventures.
Next Training Phase Set for Mid-April
The government has scheduled the next mandatory phase—classroom-based business training—to begin on April 15, 2026, across all constituencies.
Officials emphasized that completing mentorship is a prerequisite for participation in this phase. Beneficiaries who have not yet engaged with mentors have been urged to contact their local coordinators.
Upon completing the training, participants will receive a second tranche of funding worth KSh25,000. This includes KSh3,000 set aside as savings under the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Haba Haba scheme, bringing total support per beneficiary to KSh50,000.
Expanding Reach Nationwide
The programme is also expanding to include beneficiaries from Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps, who will undergo training alongside host communities.
To support the rollout, the initiative has engaged over 3,600 trainers and 5,500 mentors nationwide, further strengthening its reach and impact.
The extension of the mentorship deadline is expected to ensure that no beneficiary is left behind as the government pushes forward with its youth empowerment agenda.
