What is NYOTA Program and How to Apply for Ksh.50K Gov’t Grant
The government has introduced the NYOTA program Kenya, a nationwide initiative aimed at empowering young people through grants, training, and job opportunities. The program seeks to equip youth with skills and capital to start small businesses and contribute to Kenya’s growing digital and entrepreneurial economy.
What is NYOTA Program Kenya?
The National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Mtaani program is a financial empowerment project launched by the government in partnership with the World Bank. President William Ruto flagged off the campaign by sending Principal Secretaries to all 47 counties to promote the initiative.
The program is designed to support 100,000 youth across the country, with up to 70 beneficiaries per ward receiving a Ksh.50,000 grant each to start or grow businesses. In total, NYOTA targets over 820,000 young Kenyans.
Who Can Apply?
NYOTA is open to:
Kenyan youth aged 18 to 29 years
Persons with disabilities up to 35 years old
Women and youth living in refugee camps in Garissa and Turkana counties
The government aims for at least 50% of beneficiaries to be women, promoting inclusivity and gender balance in youth empowerment.
How the Program Works
The NYOTA program combines funding with skills development and work experience opportunities:
90,000 youth will be trained and placed with employers or artisans to gain hands-on experience.
100,000 youth will each receive Ksh.50,000 to start small enterprises.
Over 600,000 youth will be trained on Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO), enabling them to bid for public tenders.
These opportunities are spread across all 47 counties to ensure nationwide impact.
How to Apply for NYOTA Program Kenya
Interested applicants can apply for the NYOTA program by following these simple steps:
Dial *USSD code 254# (available on both smartphones and feature phones).
Select the NYOTA option.
Enter your personal and educational details.
Choose your preferred path: training, entrepreneurship, or skill recognition.
Wait for confirmation and further instructions.
However, the government has clarified that Hustler Fund defaulters will not qualify for the NYOTA program, citing poor repayment discipline in previous government lending programs.
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A Boost for Kenya’s Youth Empowerment
The NYOTA program Kenya represents a renewed effort to tackle youth unemployment by providing both funding and skills. It complements ongoing initiatives like the Hustler Fund and the Kazi Mtaani project, focusing on sustainability and job creation in the informal sector.
Officials say the program will help thousands of young Kenyans transition from job seekers to job creators while boosting local economies.
