PS Susan Mang’eni Champions Youth Entrepreneurship as NYOTA Program Finalization Nears Launch

By John Kariuki

Principal Secretary for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development, Hon. Susan Mang’eni, has hailed the NYOTA Program as a game-changing initiative set to empower thousands of Kenyan youth through entrepreneurship support and enhanced access to funding.

Speaking during an inter-ministerial meeting that brought together senior government officials, Mang’eni emphasized the importance of tailoring the program to reflect community realities while ensuring fairness, inclusivity and transparency in its rollout. “The NYOTA Program is about unlocking potential, giving our youth practical tools to thrive and creating pathways for sustainable livelihoods. It is not just a program; it is a promise to our young people,” she said.

The NYOTA Program will utilize innovative tools such as the Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test and the Application for Prior Learning (APL) to identify deserving youth for onboarding. Mang’eni noted that these tools will help level the playing field by assessing young people based on their skills and aspirations rather than just formal credentials.

The planning session, attended by Cabinet Secretaries Dr Alfred Mutua (Labour and Social Protection), Wycliffe Oparanya (Investments, Trade and Industry), Salim Mvurya (Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports), and Principal Secretaries Shadrack Mwadime (Labour) and Fikirini Jacobs (Youth Affairs and Creative Economy), also included development partners from the World Bank and Safaricom. Their contributions have been instrumental in shaping the structure and delivery framework of the program.

Mang’eni reiterated her department’s commitment to supporting youth enterprises, noting that MSMEs remain the backbone of Kenya’s economy and a key driver of job creation. She highlighted plans to localize NYOTA’s assessment processes, increase public awareness, and build strong partnerships with the private sector to guarantee impactful implementation.

“As a government, our mission is clear—to nurture entrepreneurs, strengthen MSMEs and ensure that no youth with talent and vision is left behind,” she said.

The NYOTA Program is expected to be officially launched soon, signaling a bold step toward youth empowerment and inclusive economic growth.