The government has clarified several issues raised by applicants taking part in the NYOTA Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test (EAT), a mandatory requirement for youths interested in entrepreneurship and small-scale business ventures seeking grants of Ksh50,000 each.
The test aims to assess the entrepreneurial mindset of applicants to identify 100,000 beneficiaries under the NYOTA program. To participate, applicants must send the word NYOTA to 40270 and follow the prompts to answer 19 questions.
Among the frequently asked questions, one of the most common is what to do if no response is received after sending the message. Officials advised applicants to activate promotional messages by dialing *100#, selecting 5, then 2, and then 5.
Regarding language selection, participants can choose their preferred language at the start but cannot change it once the test begins. If a phone switches off mid-test, applicants can resume where they left off using the same SIM card.
The government also confirmed that the test can be continued on a different phone as long as the registered SIM card is used. Importantly, the EAT is free of charge, requiring no airtime balance to complete.
Most users reportedly complete the test within 15 to 30 minutes, depending on response speed and network quality. However, retakes are not permitted, and applicants cannot correct answers once submitted. Both smartphones and feature phones are supported for the test.
NYOTA is a five-year government initiative funded by the World Bank, designed to tackle youth unemployment, income insecurity, and low savings. During Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kitui on October 20, President William Ruto announced that funds would start being disbursed from November 4, with Ksh20 billion allocated to youth-led initiatives under the NYOTA program.
