Employment

April 16, 2026April 17, 2026

Why the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP)?

The Reality Youth Face

For years, youth unemployment has been linked to corruption, reinforcing the belief that after graduation, one has to “tarmac” a lot, or otherwise look for a job for long periods, and that if their stars align, they will get it without “having connections”. This is incomplete and misleading.

Many educated youth remain unemployed, turning to informal hustles that are now replacing structured opportunities. Thousands of young people graduate every year with skills, ideas, and ambition. Yet many still struggle to turn those abilities into sustainable livelihoods. A sad story of talents that never became income and skills that remain unused. There is a gap between talent and opportunity, and that is exactly what led to the creation of the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP).

The Core Problem: Talent Without Opportunity

Limited Job Opportunities

A later policy brief by the National Council of Population and Development in 2017 indicated that over 80% of Kenya’s population is aged 35 years and below, with youth aged 15-34 making up about 35% of the total population. Each year, thousands of these young people graduate from schools, universities, and vocational institutions with the hope of joining the workforce, yet the labour market is not expanding quickly enough to absorb them.

There are not enough formal jobs. Despite the increasing number of youths, employment opportunities remain limited. Many young people either remain unemployed or are forced into low-income and low-productivity jobs, often within the informal sector. They lack sufficient opportunities to apply their skills in meaningful ways.

Skills That Remain Informal

We often talk about youths from the marginalized communities. The moment you hear that, what comes to mind is poverty, low literacy levels, and any other negative thing you could think about in relation to that. But when you actually visit there, you’ll see detailed graffiti (unauthorised writings), drawings, or paintings (creative arts), young people playing football at near-professional level (sports), a small cyber cafe buzzing with activities (digital services and technology), and trade going on.

However, these skills rarely translate into sustainable income because they often lack the structure, mentorship, and resources required to turn them into viable enterprises. As a result, many youth operate in small, informal activities that generate limited income and offer limited opportunity for growth. Without access to the right systems, promising talents often remain side hustles instead of scalable businesses.

Fragmented Support

Yes, many programs focus on skills training, mentorship, funding, or innovation. The only downside is that these initiatives often operate in isolation. Young people may gain training but lack access to markets. Others may have ideas but struggle to find mentorship or networks to help them grow.

This fragmented ecosystem/support system makes it difficult for young people to move from ideas to sustainable enterprises. Without coordinated support that connects skills, mentorship, and market opportunities, many promising ideas never develop into viable ventures.

Why Entrepreneurship?

Have you ever thought of being your own boss? That is what entrepreneurship enables you to become. You spot a challenge and think of ideas for solving that challenge. That is how a startup usually starts and later becomes a whole company or scalable venture. This enables you to build your own economic pathway, as you empower and employ people along the way. Entrepreneurship is one way we can create sustainable livelihoods. One empowered youth translates to an empowered generation.

In a time where technology is rapidly expanding, young people are becoming more digitally connected, getting updates on current issues by the click of a button. It is now easier to see where a problem or crisis is due to the load of research being put across the digital platforms. This enables the youth to adapt to the current issues and learn better on how to solve the problems.

Why JAY4T chose this path

Having posted surveys (youth survey), attending feedback conferences and having direct talks with youths in our Xchange Bazaars, we decided to take an actionable step. We discovered that the problem amongst unemployed youth isn’t a lack of opportunity; rather, it’s a lack of exposure to opportunities. Most of the feedback we got from the youth is that they are truly ambitious, although the gap comes in when they do not know how to take the next step.

Skills mismatch is a persistent problem, and so through the creation of the Youth Entrepreneurship program, JAY4T aims to equip young people with market-relevant skills, mentor them and nurture their talents, and engage in aspects such as peer learning, where they will learn to collaborate.

JAY4T chose the entrepreneurship path, as this will enable the young people to gain knowledge and practical skills on how to start, run, and manage their own economic social enterprises as they work on existing social enterprises of JAY4T, that is, LigiOpen, Kaakazini, and Sote Tule.

What makes YEP different?

We realized that supporting youth required more than training. It required networks, collaboration, market access, and enterprise support. That realization shaped YEP.

This is why YEP is different:

1. Co-creation

Youth are not passive beneficiaries – they are co-creators. YEP allows the youth a chance to build social enterprises together, JAY4T seeing them through the ideation stage to completion.

2. Asset-based community development (ABCD)

The program will mainly focus on the already existing skills, knowledge, and talents of the young people, an asset-based community development approach. YEP will focus on building enterprises that solve community challenges.

3. Collaboration instead of competition

The program allows young people to exchange skills and knowledge and build ventures together.

4. Practical learning

It’s not always “class” or workshops. The program will mainly focus on active and practical learning. That is one of the main reasons why the mode of learning is in-person.

What the program aims to achieve

1. Support ecosystems

Young people will gain the tools, networks, and support needed to build sustainable enterprises.

2. Economic empowerment

The program aims to economically empower youth through enterprise creation and employment opportunities within JAY4T’s three social enterprises.

3. Economic empowerment

The program aims to economically empower youth through enterprise creation and employment opportunities within JAY4T’s three social enterprises.

4. Financial literacy

Through YEP, youth will gain financial literacy skills, enabling them to manage their finances more effectively.

5. Innovation ecosystems

YEP aims to build stronger youth innovation ecosystems.

The long-term vision is a generation of youth who are not waiting for opportunities but actively creating them.

Every year, thousands of young people are told to ‘be patient’ and ‘keep applying.’ Patience does not create jobs. That is why we are taking this step.

Let us join hands to build a more equitable future for the youth, as one empowered youth translates to an empowered generation.

May 30, 2025May 30, 2025

Shaping employment futures with young people, not for them

At JAY4T, we’re not waiting for change, we’re building it. And we believe that young people don’t need saving; they need space, trust, and a chance to lead. That’s why we put youth at the center of everything we do, especially when it comes to co-creating sustainable employment solutions.

Recently, we shared some of our experiences in the Business Fights Poverty forum, exploring how to better connect decision-makers with those closest to the issues. As always, our perspective was grounded in action, ownership, and accountability.

Young People as Co-Owners of Change

At JAY4T, young people are not just participants—they’re co-owners of interventions designed to create real and lasting economic opportunities. This means they’re involved in shaping programs, setting priorities, and defining success on their own terms.

We also challenge traditional power dynamics by positioning decision-makers, development partners, and support organizations as equal partners, not top-down authorities. This shift allows for more authentic collaboration and better results.

Listening, Acting, and Closing the Loop

Accountability starts with listening—but it doesn’t end there.

We create spaces for focused and deliberate conversations, like workshops, where young people can openly share their insights, concerns, and visions. These inputs shape our work in real time.

We also make sure to close the feedback loop: when young people give feedback, we communicate what actions we’ve taken as a result. That way, listening becomes more than a box to tick, it becomes a habit of trust-building and shared responsibility.

What We Learned at the First Xchange Bazaar

This week, we hosted the first-ever in-person Xchange Bazaar, our youth-led space for learning, connecting, and unlocking employment opportunities together. One powerful moment came from a participant named Yahal, who spoke to the heart of our mission:

“Young people need to stop waiting. We have to move differently, not waiting for development partners to act, but coming together, pooling what we have, and supporting one another. We’ve got assets – skills, networks, physical spaces, capabilities. If we can do this sustainably, we’ll redefine what support from development partners even means.”

This is exactly the shift we’re working toward: an asset-based approach where youth recognize and mobilize what they already have, then use it to lift one another. Development partners can still play a role, but as allies in a movement led by youth, not saviors to be waited on.

Doing Employment Development Differently

The conversation on Business Fights Poverty reminded us that we’re not alone in this. Around the world, others are also reimagining how decisions are made, who gets to lead, and what real partnership looks like.

At JAY4T, we’re clear on our part in that movement: build with young people, not for them. Focus on assets, not just needs. And co-create employment solutions that are rooted in trust, shared power, and long-term sustainability.

If you’re working toward the same goals, let’s connect. We believe in growing the table, so there’s room for every youth voice and every idea.

Photo by Kindel Media: https://www.pexels.com/photo/smiling-woman-holding-a-hand-grill-8487371/

April 11, 2025April 16, 2025

Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship: Part 1 – A Baseline for JAY4T

At the start of 2025, JAY4T conducted a youth employment and entrepreneurship survey to better understand the challenges, aspirations, and opportunities facing young people in our network. The insights from this survey provide a critical baseline for shaping our interventions and tracking progress in the coming years.

Who Took the Survey?

The survey respondents were primarily young people between 18 and 30, representing different counties and cities. Their education levels varied; some had diplomas, degrees, or secondary education, while a few had completed only primary school.

Current Employment and Entrepreneurship Trends

Unemployment is a major concern, with many respondents either actively seeking work or still in school.
Among those employed, careers in Technology/IT and creative industries were common.
A significant number of respondents are interested in entrepreneurship, with many looking to start businesses in services and tech-related industries.

Key Challenges Facing Young People

When asked about the biggest obstacles to employment or entrepreneurship, respondents highlighted:

Lack of access to capital as the biggest barrier.
Limited networks and connections that could help them find jobs or business opportunities.
The need for more practical skills training to match industry demands.

Skills and Training Needs

While many respondents already possess soft skills like communication and teamwork, others have technical skills in IT, carpentry, and finance. However, they expressed a strong desire for:

Digital and tech skills to stay competitive in the job market.
Business management and vocational training to help them start and sustain businesses.
Networking and mentorship opportunities to build connections in their fields of interest.

Aspirations for the Future

Over the next three years, respondents have set ambitious goals:

Secure stable employment in their chosen fields.
Start and grow their own businesses.
Gain new skills and education to increase their chances of success.

How JAY4T Can Support Youth Development

Respondents expressed a strong interest in JAY4T’s programs, with key areas of support including:

Networking opportunities to connect with mentors and employers.
Job placement services to help young people transition into the workforce.
Skills training and mentorship to equip them with practical, in-demand abilities.

Some also suggested that JAY4T offer hands-on training programs in innovation, vocational skills, and specialized trades like baking and creative arts.

Next Steps: Turning Insights into Action

This survey has provided valuable data that will inform JAY4T’s strategy for empowering youth through employment and entrepreneurship programs. By addressing the identified gaps, we aim to create meaningful opportunities for young people to build sustainable careers and businesses.

We invite stakeholders, partners, and youth themselves to collaborate with us as we implement solutions based on these findings. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities and drive real impact in our communities.

Stay tuned for updates on how we turn these insights into action. If you’re a young person looking for support or an organization willing to collaborate, get in touch with us!

March 14, 2025March 14, 2025

Empowering Youth in Sales for a Green Future: JAY4T Partners with Peak Data Management Consultants

At Jabulani Youths for Transformation (JAY4T), we believe in creating opportunities that equip young people with the skills and resources they need to thrive. We are thrilled to announce our latest partnership with Peak Data Management Consultants, a collaboration that will open doors for youth through the Women in Sales for a Green Future program. While the program prioritises women, it remains accessible to all youth, ensuring a broader impact on employment and skills development.

This strategic partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on February 5, 2025, aligns with two of JAY4T’s key strategic objectives:

Enabling 100 unemployed youth in Kisumu to be actively engaged in employment social enterprises.
Providing comprehensive skills training and capacity building for 100 youth.

About the Program

The Women in Sales for a Green Future program is a collaboration between Yusudi and GIZ, designed to equip 2,500 youth (70% women and 5% Persons with Disabilities) with essential sales skills tailored for green and circular economy businesses in Kenya.

Why This Program Matters

Green businesses are rapidly growing but often struggle to find skilled sales professionals who can drive the adoption of eco-friendly products. This program addresses that gap by providing youth with tailored sales training and connecting them with job opportunities in the green sector.

JAY4T’s Role and Contribution

Through this MoU, JAY4T is committed to supporting accessibility and participation by financially assisting 25 selected youth to enroll in the program.

How the Program Works

Participants will undergo an 8-week hybrid training model, including:

Sales Foundations: Essential sales techniques, CRM systems, warm calls, and deal-closing strategies.
Professional Development: CV writing, interview preparation, personal branding, and communication.
Green Economy Sales Strategies: How to sell eco-friendly products, engage with sustainable businesses, and promote green solutions.
Mentorship and Real-World Application: Industry experts provide mentorship throughout the program, guiding participants in applying their skills in real sales scenarios.
Job Placement & Growth: Participants will receive job placement assistance and professional mentorship during their transition into the green economy workforce.

Impact Goals

Train 2,500 youth with modern sales skills for the green economy.
Support 60 Green SMEs by improving their sales structures and market reach.
Facilitate employment for 1,500 youth in green businesses, driving career success and business growth.

Our Commitment to Long-Term Change

Beyond financial support, this partnership extends to ongoing monitoring, reporting, and mentorship. Peak Data Management Consultants will provide periodic updates on participants’ progress, covering areas such as attendance, performance, and job placements. Meanwhile, JAY4T will continue to track the impact of the initiative, ensuring that our support translates into real opportunities for youth in sales and sustainability.

Looking Ahead

This MoU marks the beginning of what we envision as a long-term partnership dedicated to expanding opportunities for youth in Kenya. As we move forward, we are eager to explore additional ways to amplify the program’s impact, including entrepreneurship support, job placement initiatives, and expanded sponsorships.

We extend our gratitude to Peak Data Management Consultants for joining us on this journey. Together, we are paving the way for a more inclusive, empowered, and sustainable future.

For more updates on this partnership and other JAY4T initiatives, stay connected with us!

February 14, 2025March 5, 2025

Transforming Feedback into Growth: JAY4T’s Journey to an Employment Collective

At Jabulani Youths for Transformation (JAY4T), we believe in the power of feedback to drive meaningful change.

Rethinking Youth Unemployment Solutions

For years, both public and private sector players in Kenya have attempted to tackle youth unemployment through training programs, startup incubation, and capital provision. JAY4T initially followed similar approaches, offering capacity-building programs to empower young people. However, despite these efforts, unemployment rates in Kisumu continued to rise.

Through a deep process of reflection and feedback, we realized that our intervention models were not creating sustainable employment opportunities. We engaged with young people from our programs and beyond, actively listening to their experiences, skills, and aspirations. Their feedback revealed that traditional training and capital-focused interventions were insufficient. What they needed was a system that recognized them as human capital—not just as job seekers or beneficiaries, but as contributors to their local economies.

The Shift to an Asset-Based Approach

Inspired by insights from GlobalGiving’s Sharing Power Through Co-Creation Guide, we shifted our focus from aid and training to an asset-based entrepreneurship program. This new approach acknowledges the potential within young people and the resources they already have access to. Instead of designing programs in isolation, we created the Employment Collective, an interactive forum where unemployed youth can collaborate, share opportunities, and develop economic enterprises based on their existing skills and networks.

This transformation was fueled by active listening. By prioritizing the voices of young people, we learned that sustainable change comes from linking isolated talents and opportunities to create value. Our role evolved from being direct implementers to facilitators of connections, enabling youth to leverage their own strengths and resources.

The Role of Feedback in Sustainable Change

JAY4T’s journey underscores the importance of perceptual feedback in social impact work. Our experience has shown that effective listening goes beyond collecting opinions—it requires meaningful engagement, co-creation, and the willingness to pivot based on community insights.

Through our Employment Collective, we continue to act on the feedback we receive by:

Creating spaces for open dialogue, where young people can express their challenges and ideas freely.
Encouraging peer-to-peer collaboration, allowing youth to learn from and support each other.
Providing access to resources and tools, helping young entrepreneurs and job seekers turn ideas into action.
Continuously iterating on our programs, ensuring they remain responsive to the evolving needs of the community.

We remain committed to fostering a culture of listening and co-creation, ensuring that youth voices shape the future of of employment solutions in Kenya. We invite others to join us in this journey—whether by engaging in our Employment Collective, sharing insights on feedback practices, or collaborating on innovative solutions. Together, we can transform feedback into real, sustainable growth.