The government has commenced a nationwide mentorship programme targeting more than 122,000 young entrepreneurs who received start-up capital under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project. The programme, which began on Monday, August 10, 2026, is designed to help beneficiaries turn their start-up investments into sustainable and profitable enterprises through structured business guidance and support.
More than 4,879 mentors have been engaged across the country to guide the beneficiaries. Each young entrepreneur has been assigned an experienced business practitioner who will mentor no more than 20 beneficiaries, allowing for closer engagement and personalised support. The government expects the approach to strengthen the capacity of young entrepreneurs to overcome the challenges associated with starting and growing businesses.
The mentorship programme will combine practical and experiential learning, including business site visits, peer-to-peer mentorship, business case experiences, coaching and counselling. Beneficiaries will also receive market linkages to help them identify customers, suppliers and other commercial opportunities. The initiative is therefore intended to move beyond the provision of start-up capital by equipping young people with the knowledge and networks required to sustain their businesses.
The government is also developing innovative and blended financing products to enable NYOTA beneficiaries to access additional funding from government catalytic funds. The initiative follows President William Ruto’s directive to expand financing opportunities for young entrepreneurs following the disbursement of start-up capital last month. The additional financing is expected to help viable businesses expand their operations, acquire equipment and create more employment opportunities.
Another key intervention involves collaboration between the national and county governments to establish a framework for business licence waivers for NYOTA beneficiaries. The proposed measures are expected to reduce regulatory costs while providing young entrepreneurs with access to viable trading spaces and markets. By lowering some of the barriers facing small businesses, the government hopes to improve the survival and growth prospects of youth-owned enterprises.
The government is also finalising preparations for the rollout of the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) training component next month. The training will target more than 600,000 young entrepreneurs and is intended to increase their participation in government procurement. Greater uptake of AGPO could provide youth-owned enterprises with access to a large and relatively stable market while supporting the government’s broader youth economic empowerment agenda.
Meanwhile, the On-the-Job Experience component of NYOTA is advancing, with Socio-Emotional Skills Development training currently underway in 18 counties, including Isiolo, Marsabit, Laikipia, Samburu, Turkana, Baringo, Nandi, West Pokot, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, Lamu, Mombasa, Kilifi, Garissa, Mandera, Wajir and Tana River. After completing the training, beneficiaries will transition into five-month apprenticeships under experienced master craftsmen and employers, gaining practical skills, workplace experience and professional mentorship.
The nationwide mentorship programme marks a significant shift from simply providing young people with capital to building their capacity to manage and grow sustainable enterprises. The government has emphasised that completion of the mentorship sessions is mandatory for beneficiaries to qualify for the next level of support. With sustained mentorship, access to markets, additional financing and practical skills development, NYOTA is expected to strengthen youth entrepreneurship and contribute to job creation and sustainable livelihoods across Kenya.
