President William Ruto has unveiled the KSh 5 billion National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Fund, a major empowerment initiative aimed at supporting youth entrepreneurship and business growth across the country. Speaking at State House, Nairobi, on Monday, October 6, 2025, President Ruto said the programme will benefit 100,000 young entrepreneurs in its first phase, with the long-term goal of reaching at least one million youth. The Fund, which has been established in partnership with the World Bank, seeks to boost youth-led enterprises and enhance access to capital for sustainable business ventures.
The Head of State emphasized that the NYOTA Fund is part of his administration’s broader plan to empower young people by providing financial support, mentorship, and capacity-building opportunities. He stated that the KSh 5 billion injection will play a vital role in stimulating grassroots entrepreneurship, expanding business activity, and improving liquidity in the economy. “We have raised KSh 5 billion together with the World Bank to give 100,000 youth in Kenya money to scale up their businesses,” Ruto said, underscoring the government’s commitment to fostering an inclusive economy driven by innovation and productivity among the youth.
According to President Ruto, a nationwide mapping exercise began on October 6, 2025, to identify eligible beneficiaries in every ward across the country. The exercise, which is expected to conclude by the end of October, will pave the way for the release of funds to selected youth entrepreneurs. Each of Kenya’s 1,450 wards will have at least 70 beneficiaries, ensuring equitable distribution and representation across all regions. “By the end of October, we will begin releasing the KSh 5 billion, making sure that in every ward in Kenya we identify young people between the ages of 18 and 29 who are doing business,” he noted.
The NYOTA Fund is designed not only to provide grants but also to build the skills and capacity of young people. Each successful applicant will receive a KSh 50,000 grant to start or expand their enterprises, while thousands more will undergo training to gain job experience and entrepreneurial skills. The programme also includes provisions for 90,000 youth to gain work experience, 20,000 to receive recognition for prior learning, and 600,000 to be trained on Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO). This holistic approach aims to create a sustainable ecosystem of empowered and self-reliant young professionals.
In a preparatory meeting with Principal Secretaries at State House on Friday, October 3, 2025, President Ruto stressed the importance of transparency, inclusivity, and coordination in implementing the programme. He said that the involvement of leaders from the executive, legislature, and county governments would ensure the project’s success and fairness in beneficiary selection. “This is coming as a result of being deliberate about doing something about employment, empowerment, and engagement with young people,” the President emphasized.
Ultimately, the KSh 5 billion NYOTA Fund stands as a cornerstone of President Ruto’s economic transformation agenda—anchored on youth empowerment, innovation, and enterprise development. The initiative is expected to unlock thousands of new opportunities, strengthen local economies, and inspire a new generation of young entrepreneurs. By directly injecting capital into youth-led ventures, the government aims to spur business growth, enhance economic liquidity, and drive Kenya closer to its goal of achieving inclusive and sustainable national development.
