NYOTA Project Rolls Out Mentorship Programme for More Than 122,000 Youth Beneficiaries
The National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project has announced the rollout of its mentorship programme as part of efforts to strengthen youth entrepreneurship and promote sustainable livelihoods across Kenya.
The NYOTA Project, which was rolled out in March 2025, is leveraging digital technology to provide young people across the country with access to socio-economic empowerment opportunities.
On July 10, 2026, the government disbursed start-up capital grants to more than 122,000 Business Support beneficiaries, providing them with resources to launch and grow their enterprises.
The beneficiaries are scheduled to commence mentorship sessions on Monday, August 10, 2026. More than 4,879 mentors have been engaged across the country to undertake the exercise, with each beneficiary assigned an experienced business practitioner. Each mentor will handle no more than 20 mentees.
The mentorship sessions will include business site visits, cross-peer mentorship, sharing of business experiences, coaching, counselling and market linkages.
The government is also developing innovative and blended financing products targeting NYOTA Business Support beneficiaries to enable them to access enhanced financing through government catalytic funds.
In addition, the government is working closely with county governments to develop a framework for implementing business licence waivers to enable NYOTA beneficiaries to access markets and viable trading spaces.
Preparations are also underway for the rollout of the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) training component, which is scheduled for next month and will target more than 600,000 young entrepreneurs.
Under the On-the-Job Experience component, the Socio-Emotional Skills Development programme is currently being implemented in 18 counties.
Beneficiaries who successfully complete the Socio-Emotional Skills Development training will transition into a five-month apprenticeship under experienced master craftsmen and employers. The apprenticeship will provide practical, hands-on industry experience, mentorship and occupational skills aimed at enhancing employability and supporting sustainable livelihoods.
NYOTA Business Support beneficiaries have been reminded that completion of the mentorship sessions is mandatory for progression to the next level of support and have been urged to participate fully.
