AfDB Launches Bold Initiative to Curb Youth Unemployment in Kenya
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has launched a transformative initiative aimed at reducing youth unemployment in Kenya by enhancing technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills among young people.
The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Entrepreneurship Project was officially unveiled on 29 April in Nairobi under the Bank’s Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund. The project is a collaborative effort between AfDB, Kenya’s Ministry of Education – State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA).
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Esther Muoria, Principal Secretary for the State Department for TVET, emphasized the initiative’s potential to significantly impact youth employability and socio-economic development.
“We aim to enhance youth employability, strengthen linkages between TVET institutions and industry, and support smooth transitions from training to meaningful employment,” said Dr. Muoria. “This project reflects our commitment to inclusive development that delivers real impact for our youth.”
The project is expected to create 1,200 jobs by connecting graduates to employment opportunities in Kenya’s private sector while also supporting young entrepreneurs. It will address the mismatch between the training offered and the demands of the labor market, ensuring that the skills taught are aligned with industry needs.
AfDB’s Senior Education Economist, Aggrey Ndombi, highlighted the Bank’s focus on market-responsive training as key to boosting youth employment.
“We are supporting this project in Kenya to align vocational and technical training with market demands,” said Ndombi. “This will improve the quality and employability of graduates and support the country’s economic transformation.”
KEPSA Chief Executive Officer Carole Kariuki echoed these sentiments, calling for intentional efforts to equip youth with practical and digital skills needed in emerging sectors, including artificial intelligence and the gig economy.
“Africa’s growing youth population is a powerful demographic advantage,” said Kariuki. “We must be intentional about equipping our young people with practical skills and entrepreneurial competencies.”
The initiative supports Kenya’s industrialisation and job creation goals by ensuring that training institutions produce a workforce equipped to meet modern industry needs.
The AfDB’s Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund continues to play a pivotal role in empowering youth-led start-ups and SMEs across Africa by providing essential skills, financial support, and policy reform backing to foster job creation and inclusive growth.
