The Principal Secretary for the State Department of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development, Susan Mang’eni, has detailed how beneficiaries will be evaluated before receiving the Ksh50,000 grant under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme.
Speaking on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, PS Mang’eni explained that all applicants will undergo a four-month comprehensive business development training, combining classroom sessions and mentorship. The programme aims to equip young entrepreneurs with essential business management and growth skills before they receive any funding.
“It begins by subjecting you to comprehensive business development training. You undergo classroom sessions and mentorship for almost four months,” PS Mang’eni said.
Aptitude Test and Selection
Before being admitted into the training phase, every applicant will be required to take an entrepreneurial aptitude test. This test will gauge an individual’s business mindset, creativity, and intent to ensure only passionate and viable entrepreneurs are selected.
“Everybody applies, but you’ll be subjected to an entrepreneurial aptitude test to gauge your business mind and intent,” she added.
Disbursement and Assessment
After successful completion of the training, each entrepreneur will receive 50 per cent of the Ksh50,000 grant, with a mandatory 12 per cent saving requirement to instill financial discipline.
Two months after receiving the first installment, Business Development Service (BDS) firms contracted by the government will assess the entrepreneurs’ business progress. Based on this evaluation, the remaining 50 per cent of the grant will be disbursed.
“We’ve recruited certified BDS firms to follow up on entrepreneurs’ progress and assess them before releasing the remaining capital,” Mang’eni said.
The NYOTA programme, which forms part of President William Ruto’s Ksh5 billion youth empowerment initiative, targets one million young Kenyans, offering them a structured path into the MSME ecosystem for continuous growth and development.
