Latest Developments

Kenyan youth who have been pre-selected for the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Business Support program are required to complete an Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test (EAT) by Friday, October 24, 2025. This test is a crucial step before the upcoming Validation Exercise, which will determine eligibility for a KSh 50,000 business grant.

To begin the free test, applicants must send the word "NYOTA" via SMS to 40270, using the same mobile number registered during their initial application. Participants are advised to activate promotional messages by dialing *100*5*2*5*1# if they encounter issues receiving prompts. The test, which typically takes 15 to 30 minutes, allows participants to resume if their phone disconnects, provided they use the same SIM card. However, submitted answers cannot be edited.

Historical and Political Context

The NYOTA Project is a five-year initiative by the Government of Kenya, co-funded by the World Bank, designed to address youth unemployment, expand income-generating opportunities, and foster a culture of savings and entrepreneurship. Launched to empower over 800,000 young Kenyans, the program provides training, business support, and grants. Former Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs Kipchumba Murkomen announced in December 2024 that the project seeks to empower 820,000 unemployed youths across Kenya.

Youth unemployment remains a significant challenge in Kenya. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) 2019 Population and Housing Census, youth aged 15-34 accounted for 36.1% of the total population. An estimated 35% of young men and women between 18-34 years are unemployed or underemployed. Other sources indicate that youth aged 15-34, who constitute 35% of the population, face an unemployment rate as high as 67%. Over one million young people enter the labour market annually without adequate skills.

Laws/Policy and Governance

The NYOTA project aligns with the Kenyan government's broader commitment to youth empowerment, as outlined in the Kenya Youth Development Policy 2019 and various constitutional provisions. Article 55 of the Kenyan Constitution, for instance, compels the government to take measures to promote youth empowerment. The project is implemented through a multi-agency approach involving the State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy (SDYACE), National Employment Authority (NEA), National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), State Department for Labour and Skills Development (SDL), Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

Stakeholders and Testimonies

The NYOTA program targets vulnerable youth aged 18-29 years, or up to 35 years for persons with disabilities, who have not studied beyond Form Four level and are unemployed, underemployed, or in low-tier employment. Principal Secretary for the State Department for MSMEs Development, Susan Mang'eni, clarified on Tuesday, October 14, that university and college students are not eligible for the NYOTA Fund, as the program is specifically designed to uplift those at the bottom of the economic pyramid.

Evidence/Data

• **Target Beneficiaries:** 820,000 unemployed youth across all 47 counties.
• **Business Support Grant:** 110,000 youth to receive KSh 50,000 each.
• **Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test (EAT):** Mandatory for pre-selected beneficiaries.
• **EAT Completion Deadline:** Friday, October 24, 2025.
• **Required EAT Score:** Participants are advised to score at least 70%.
• **Start-up Capital Disbursement:** KSh 50,000 disbursed in two tranches of KSh 25,000 after a four-day business services training.
• **Fund Disbursement Commencement:** President William Ruto announced on Monday, October 20, 2025, that disbursements will begin on November 4, 2025.
• **Youth Unemployment Rate (15-34 years):** Estimated at 67% (RMF Global, 2025) and 35% (KNBS, 2019).

Risks/Implications

Failure to complete the Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test by the deadline will result in disqualification from the NYOTA Business Support program. The EAT is designed to assess an applicant's entrepreneurial mindset, readiness, creativity, problem-solving skills, and business acumen, ensuring that the financial support is directed towards individuals with the potential to succeed.

Unknowns and Controversies

While the NYOTA program aims to empower a significant number of youth, the sheer volume of applications (over 1 million received in Phase 1 for the Business Support Grant, with only 110,000 required) highlights the immense demand for such initiatives and the challenge of reaching all deserving youth. The process of sending out pre-selection SMS messages is still ongoing, and some applicants are yet to receive notifications.

Timeline and Next Steps

• **Tuesday, October 21, 2025:** NYOTA issued a directive for shortlisted youth to complete the EAT.
• **Friday, October 24, 2025:** Deadline for completing the Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test and scheduled Validation Exercise.
• **November 4, 2025:** Commencement of KSh 50,000 grant disbursements, as announced by President William Ruto.

What to Watch

Attention will be on the successful completion of the Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test by pre-selected youth and the subsequent validation exercise. The timely disbursement of the KSh 50,000 grants, starting November 4, 2025, will be a key indicator of the program's progress. Further updates on the ongoing shortlisting process and future application cycles for other NYOTA interventions are also anticipated.