Driving Job Creation in Kenya – Our partnership with Asante Africa and the I&M Foundation
In September, we announced a tripartite partnership with the I&M Foundation and Asante Africa Foundation. This collaboration aims to foster entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen among high school students in remote areas of Kenya. The Enterprise Challenge (EC) Programme, one of our flagship initiatives, is set to impact 1,716 students from 22 schools across Narok, Samburu, Marsabit, and Turkana Counties in its 2024 cycle.
A Strategic Partnership for Lasting Impact
The partnership brings together the expertise and resources of three organizations committed to youth empowerment and economic development.
I&M Foundation, the philanthropic arm of I&M Bank, drives social investment initiatives focusing on Environmental Conservation, Education, Economic Empowerment, and Enabling Giving. Mr. James Gatere, Head of the I&M Foundation, shares that this partnership contributes to their “key objective to impact more than 10 million lives by 2026,” and states “with the Enterprise Challenge Programme, we are intensifying our efforts to catalyse economic growth and decent work for the youth across Kenya. The endowment of Kes 48.1 million by I&M Foundation will see the programme scale up significantly with a projected total number of 6,300 students by the end of its current cycle.”
KTI has successfully implemented the Enterprise Challenge Programme in eight other countries, including Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana, Pakistan, Jordan, and Barbados. We launched the initiative in Kenya in 2019 with the Asante Africa Foundation who brings local expertise and ensures the effective delivery of the programme on the ground. More than 2,500 youth participants have taken part in the programme so far, with 43% initiating their own economic ventures.
Geoffrey Kasangaki, Deputy CEO of Asante Africa Foundation, highlights: “This partnership is accelerating the depth of learning and broadening the reach to more rural young people who are frequently forgotten. We have first-hand experience that young people, when given the tools and knowledge, will collectively solve challenges their communities face and make money doing it.”
The Enterprise Challenge Programme
The Enterprise Challenge Programme offers young people the chance to learn what it takes to run a business and be their own boss. Typically delivered as a four-day intensive course built around interactive and peer-to-peer learning, the programme covers topics such as market research, business planning, and financial management.
After completing the course, participants can be matched with business mentors for up to two years ensuring they receive the support needed to move from idea to fully-fledged business. They also have the opportunity to pitch their business concepts to local business leaders and take part in regional and national competitions, where they present before a judging panel with national winners receiving seed funding. This comprehensive approach not only equips young people with the skills to create their own businesses but also fosters a sense of ownership and prepares them for the modern economy.
A unique aspect of the EC Programme is its integration of digital skills through the Enterprise Computer Game, a business simulation platform developed by KTI. This digital learning tool allows young people to simulate running a business, from staffing decisions to pricing models and ethical practices.
Jamila’s Journey
The programme’s success is evident in the stories of young entrepreneurs like Jamila. At just 20 years old, Jamila transitioned from being a school student to an entrepreneur and employer, creating jobs for other women in her community. Her journey began in an after-school club where she learned basic business skills. Today, she runs a thriving shop selling nutritious produce, improving both her family’s and her community’s access to healthy food.
Jamila’s story is a testament to the transformative power of the Enterprise Challenge Programme. After graduating and working at a grocery store to save up money, Jamila used her knowledge of market research, business location, and customer relations to launch her own shop. Her business has grown rapidly, enabling her to hire two employees and plan for future expansion.
On her future plans Jamila says: “Women’s financial freedom comes with a ripple effect… It is more likely for a woman to employ another woman compared to our male counterparts. I hope to open other stores like these and employ more women.”
Looking Ahead
Kenya’s job market presents significant challenges, with only 563,000 students enrolled in universities during the 2022/23 academic year and 85% of employment opportunities found in the informal sector. As Mr. Gatere concludes in his op-ed for The Times: “it is evident that traditional educational pathways are no longer sufficient to meet the employment needs of today’s youth.” The EC Programme and this partnership offer innovative solutions to these challenges with a focus on entrepreneurship, technology and sustainability.
By equipping young people with the skills to create their own businesses, the programme not only addresses youth unemployment but also fosters broader economic empowerment as local enterprises driven by youth are more likely to reinvest profits within their communities. The integration of technology through the Enterprise Computer Game addresses digital exclusion in rural Kenya and prepares students for the modern economy. Additionally, the triple bottom line framework, where extra points are awarded for ethical and sustainable business ideas, encourages participants to consider their environmental and social impact alongside profits.
Will Straw, CEO of The King’s Trust International, highlights the programme’s potential: “With the support of I&M Foundation, we can triple, our delivery of Enterprise Challenge, reaching over 40 schools in total and, by the end of the programme, over 2,000 young people per year.“ As the programme continues to grow, it will undoubtedly inspire and empower more young people like Jamila to become successful entrepreneurs and change-makers in their communities. Nickson Ateku, Country Manager of Asante Africa Foundation, shares, “With I&M Foundation’s entrance, the youth employment landscape in Northern Kenya is bound to experience an unprecedented transformation.”