The government officially launched the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project on Monday, October 6, a five-year initiative aimed at addressing youth unemployment and promoting sustainable economic empowerment. 

NYOTA focuses on expanding income-generating opportunities, fostering savings, and nurturing entrepreneurship among young Kenyans. 

Through the programme, the government aims to empower youth as innovators and contributors to national development and economic resilience. 

The project targets 820,000 vulnerable youth across all 47 counties, offering them a chance to gain employability skills, business support, and access to financial services. 

To qualify, applicants must meet specific criteria: they should be between 18 and 29 years old (up to 35 for Persons with Disabilities), have a maximum education level of Form Four or below, and currently be unemployed, underemployed, or engaged in low-income work. 

Importantly, participation in the NYOTA Project is entirely free; applicants are not required to pay any fees or service charges to enroll.

NYOTA is implemented through a multi-agency approach featuring four key interventions, each focusing on different aspects of youth development and empowerment.

The first intervention, Improving Youth Employability, seeks to equip young people with socio-emotional and work-readiness skills to prepare them for the labour market. 

A total of 90,000 youth will undergo training, with many gaining apprenticeships through on-the-job experience. 

Additionally, 20,000 participants will have their skills certified under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme. 

This intervention is jointly implemented by the State Department for Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy (SDYACE), the National Employment Authority (NEA), the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), and the State Department for Labour and Skills Development (SDL).

The second component, Expanding Employment Opportunities, focuses on supporting 110,000 young people to start or grow their businesses. 

It provides business training, mentorship, start-up capital, and financial linkages to boost entrepreneurship. 

This arm of the programme is led by the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA).

 The third intervention, Supporting Youth Savings, promotes a savings culture among participants. 

Approximately 190,000 beneficiaries from the employability and business support interventions are enrolled in the National Social Security Fund’s (NSSF) 'Haba Haba' Savings Scheme. 

The scheme features automatic deductions, matched savings incentives, maternity benefits for young mothers, and financial literacy training. 

The NSSF oversees the implementation of this initiative, helping young Kenyans build financial discipline and long-term security.

The fourth intervention, Strengthening Youth Employment Systems, aims to enhance coordination and efficiency across youth-related programmes. 

It includes the digital skilling of 600,000 young people to improve their access to government procurement and funding opportunities, as well as capacity building for national and county government actors to promote multi-sectoral collaboration.

How to apply for NYOTA Program; 

1. Dial *254# on your mobile phone.
2. Select 'Apply for NYOTA Project' from the main menu.
3. Choose 'Select a Track'
4. Select your preferred intervention: Business Support (On-the-Job Training), On-the-Job Experience (Internship), or Learning & Practice.

Applicants are then required to provide key details such as their education level, disability status, county of residence, and employment situation. 

Upon submission, a confirmation message is sent to acknowledge successful registration.

If an applicant is not selected for one intervention, they can still be considered for another; however, no individual can benefit from more than one intervention simultaneously.

Future application windows may also be opened and will be announced through the official NYOTA website and social media channels, ensuring equal opportunity for all interested youth.

Beneficiaries chosen for the Business Support intervention will undergo an Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test (EAT) to assess their entrepreneurial readiness and determine the appropriate level of support. 

Those who pass will participate in a four-day business training programme before receiving Ksh50,000 in start-up capital, disbursed in two equal installments of Ksh25,000. 

Attendance and completion of all required training and mentorship sessions are mandatory before funds are released.

Participants in the On-the-Job Experience (OJE) or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programmes will receive a nationally recognized certificate upon completion.

Through the NSSF’s Haba Haba Savings Scheme, all selected NYOTA beneficiaries are automatically registered as members and assigned a member number. 

This initiative encourages long-term savings by allowing access to 30% of the savings after one year, while the remaining amount is secured for future needs. 

Moreover, NSSF contributions made through this scheme are tax-deductible up to a limit of Ksh30,000 per month, providing an additional financial incentive for young savers.