E-Biz Kwa Vijana Initiative Empowers Over 2,000 Youths, Fuels E-Commerce Growth
A groundbreaking digital entrepreneurship program, E-Biz Kwa Vijana, has successfully equipped over 2,000 Kenyan youth with essential e-commerce skills, significantly contributing to the growth of the country’s digital economy. The initiative, a collaboration between the Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy and private sector partners, has provided comprehensive training in online business management, digital marketing, and cross-border e-commerce, enabling young entrepreneurs to establish and scale their ventures on both local and international platforms. The program’s remarkable success highlights the potential of targeted digital skills development in addressing youth unemployment and fostering economic inclusion.
The six-month intensive program combined theoretical knowledge with practical application, offering participants hands-on experience in setting up online stores, managing digital payments, and utilizing social media for business growth. Beyond technical skills training, the initiative provided mentorship from established e-commerce entrepreneurs and facilitated access to startup kits that included smartphones and data bundles to ensure participants could immediately implement their learning. We are witnessing a digital revolution led by young Kenyans. E-Biz Kwa Vijana has demonstrated that with the right skills and tools, our youth can create sustainable livelihoods in the digital economy, said Principal Secretary for ICT and Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui, during the program’s graduation ceremony in Nairobi.
The impact of the initiative is already visible in the success stories of its beneficiaries. Many graduates have reported significant increases in their income, with some establishing thriving online businesses that employ other young people. Before this program, I had a small physical shop with limited customers. Now I’m selling my handmade jewelry to customers across East Africa through my online store, and my revenue has increased fivefold, shared Grace Mwende, a program graduate from Machakos County. The initiative has particularly benefited youth in rural areas, demonstrating that geographical location is no longer a barrier to business success in the digital age.
Looking ahead, the program’s organizers plan to scale the initiative to reach 10,000 youth across all 47 counties over the next two years. The government is also working on creating a more enabling environment for e-commerce through the development of supportive policies and improved digital infrastructure. This is just the beginning. We are committed to building on this success by expanding the program and creating even more opportunities for our youth to thrive in the digital economy. Their success is Kenya’s success, affirmed Eng. Tanui, highlighting the program’s alignment with the government’s broader digital transformation agenda and vision for creating sustainable youth employment opportunities.