What is NYOTA program and how to apply for Ksh.50K gov’t grant

The government has launched a youth-focused grant and training program dubbed the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Mtaani.

On Monday, President William Ruto sent all Principal Secretaries across all counties to campaign financial empowerment project by the government in partnership with the World Bank What is it?

NYOTA Mtaani aims to create jobs, build skills and support young entrepreneurs.

The government says it is designed to support 100,000 youth across the country, with up to 70 beneficiaries from each of the 1,450 wards countrywide set to receive Ksh.50,000 grants.

The program targets a total of 820,000 youths.

Who can benefit?

NYOTA is open to Kenyan youth aged 18 to 29 years and persons with disabilities up to 35 years of age.

The government says it also targets to reach 50% of Kenya’s women population and youth in refugee camps in Garissa and Turkana.

The initiative covers all 47 counties.

How will the program work?

The program involves 90,000 youth who will be trained to gain job experience, including placing them with employers and artisans.

At the same time, the government says some 100,000 youth, 70 per ward, will get Ksh.50,000 each to start businesses.

Over 600,000 youth will be trained on Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) that facilitate the enterprises owned by women, youth and persons with disabilities to bid for government tenders.

How does one apply?

1. Applicants should dial the USSD code *254#, which is free to use on both feature phones and smartphones

2. Select the NYOTA option

3. Fill in their personal and educational details

4. Choose a preferred option: training, entrepreneurship or skill recognition, and await confirmation for further processing.

However, the government has stated that Hustler Fund defaulters will not benefit from NYOTA as they have proven that they cannot be trusted with the fund.