Government Extends Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test Deadline as Nationwide NYOTA Validation Exercise Kicks Off

The Principal Secretary, State Department for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development, Ms. Susan Auma Mang’eni, today led a high-level government delegation to Moiben Constituency in Uasin Gishu County as part of the ongoing nationwide verification exercise for the NYOTA Project – Business Support Component.

During the visit, Ms. Mang’eni announced that the Government has extended the deadline for the Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test (EAT) from Friday, 24th October 2025, to Saturday, 25th October 2025.

“This extension ensures that every eligible applicant has an equal opportunity to complete the exercise, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to inclusivity and fairness in the ongoing youth empowerment initiative,” said the Principal Secretary.

She noted that the extension would allow more pre-selected youth applicants to participate effectively in the Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test (EAT) — a critical component of the NYOTA Project’s verification process designed to assess entrepreneurial potential and readiness for business support.

The Principal Secretary was accompanied by Hon. Prof. Phylis Bartoo, Member of Parliament for Moiben Constituency, officials from implementing agencies, and officers from the National Government Administration (NGAO), who jointly oversaw the validation process.

Nationwide Validation Exercise Underway

The visit coincided with the launch of a nationwide validation exercise taking place across all 290 constituencies, marking a major milestone in the implementation of the NYOTA Programme. The exercise seeks to verify the authenticity and eligibility of applicants under the Business Support Component, which forms a key pillar of the broader Kshs. 20 Billion NYOTA youth empowerment intervention.

The main objective of this exercise is to generate a final, verified list of 100,000 youth beneficiaries, each set to receive a Kshs. 50,000 start-up grant to fund and scale their entrepreneurial ventures. The Business Support Component alone amounts to Kshs. 5 Billion, while the remaining programme components will be rolled out immediately after the completion of this phase.

The validation targets pre-selected youth applicants who received official invitations via SMS to participate. Data collected from the physical validation exercise will be integrated with results from the Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test (EAT) and subjected to comprehensive analysis to ensure accuracy and transparency.

This process will culminate in the publication of a system-generated and verifiable list of the 100,000 final beneficiaries, expected to be ready by next week.

Commitment to Transparency and Empowerment

Ms. Mang’eni reaffirmed the Government’s dedication to ensuring that the NYOTA Project remains transparent, inclusive, and impactful, providing equitable opportunities for Kenya’s youth.

“The NYOTA Programme is not just about funding—it’s about unlocking potential, promoting innovation, and creating a generation of resilient entrepreneurs who will drive Kenya’s economic growth,” she added.

The Ministry urged all pre-selected applicants to attend the validation exercise in person at their respective designated venues, carrying their original National Identity Card or NCPWD Card for verification.

The Principal Secretary concluded by emphasizing that the Government remains steadfast in its mission to empower young Kenyans through practical, data-driven, and accountable interventions, ensuring that no eligible youth is left behind in the nation’s journey toward sustainable development.

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Government Extends Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test Deadline as Nationwide NYOTA Validation Exercise Kicks Off

The Principal Secretary, State Department for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development, Ms. Susan Auma Mang’eni, today led a government delegation to Moiben Constituency in Uasin Gishu County as part of the ongoing nationwide verification exercise for the NYOTA Project – Business Support Component.

During the visit, Ms. Mang’eni announced that the Government has extended the deadline for the Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test (EAT) from Friday, 24th October 2025, to Saturday, 25th October 2025.

“This extension ensures that every eligible applicant has an equal opportunity to complete the exercise, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to inclusivity and fairness in the ongoing youth empowerment initiative,” said the Principal Secretary.

She added that the extension allows more pre-selected youth to participate effectively in the Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test, which is an integral part of the NYOTA Project’s verification process designed to assess entrepreneurial potential and readiness for business support.

The Principal Secretary was accompanied by Hon. Prof. Phylis Bartoo, Member of Parliament for Moiben Constituency, officials from implementing agencies, and officers from the National Government Administration (NGAO), who jointly oversaw the validation process.

Today also marks a major milestone in the implementation of the NYOTA Programme, as a nationwide validation exercise is being conducted across all 290 constituencies to verify the authenticity and eligibility of applicants under the Business Support Component.

The primary objective of the exercise is to generate a final, verified list of 100,000 youth beneficiaries, each set to receive a Kshs. 50,000 start-up grant to fund and scale their entrepreneurial ventures.

This Business Support grant forms part of the broader Kshs. 20 Billion NYOTA intervention, which seeks to empower 820,000 young people across the country. The Business Support Component alone amounts to Kshs. 5 Billion, with rollout of other programme components scheduled to begin immediately after completion of this phase.

The validation targets pre-selected youth applicants who received official invitations via SMS to participate. Data collected from the physical validation exercise will be integrated with results from the Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test (EAT) and subjected to comprehensive analysis to ensure fairness and transparency.

The process will culminate in the release of a system-generated and verifiable list of 100,000 final beneficiaries, expected to be ready by next week.

Ms. Mang’eni reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the NYOTA Project remains transparent, inclusive, and impactful, providing young entrepreneurs with the tools and financial support needed to build sustainable enterprises and contribute to Kenya’s economic growth.

“The NYOTA Programme is about unlocking potential and promoting innovation among our youth. It is a key step toward building a generation of resilient entrepreneurs who will drive Kenya’s development agenda,” she stated.

The Ministry urges all pre-selected applicants to attend the validation exercise in person at their designated venues, carrying their original National Identity Card or NCPWD Card for verification.