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KEPSA is the private sector apex and umbrella body set up in 2003, to bring together business community in a single voice to engage and influence public policy for an enabling business environment. over 500,000 direct and indirect members..
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DRIVING JOB CREATION, SME GROWTH, AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT THROUGH DIGITAL INNOVATION
- Published On: 2025-02-26
On 26th of February, KEPSA through the Twende Digital Project commenced a two-day Coaches Workshop, bringing together over 35 Twende Digital SME coaches from different parts of the country to enhance their Business Development skills while also standardizing the coaching approach with a focus on job creation and job improvement within SMEs.
The Twende Digital Project is an initiative implemented by a consortium of KEPSA, TWIVA and with a strategic partnership of the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE). The project has been transforming the Kenyan employment landscape through the empowerment of small businesses by providing linkages to finance, mentorship & coaching, and increased productivity by ensuring conducive working environments. Additionally, SMEs are facilitated with essential digital marketing and e-commerce tools, including influencer marketing, content creation, and social media management, all of which are geared toward increasing sales conversions and market reach.
According to recent statistics from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, over 50% of the 2.97 million unemployed Kenyans are aged 18 to 29. This alarming youth unemployment rate highlights the urgent need for innovative job-creation strategies. Through coaching and mentorship, the Twende Digital project has supported over 700 SMEs. This has led to the activation of over 1600 new and improved jobs. In terms of digital marketing 1992 Influencers/digital Marketers have been onboarded and are currently working with different SMEs in the project
While giving opening remarks at the workshop, Elijah Kingutu, Program Specialist, Youth & Jobs at KEPSA emphasized the role played by SMEs in job creation given their high concentration in the Country. Additionally, he noted on KEPSA’s mission on Youth empowerment for economic transformation. While also delivering a presentation, Ms Naomi Kimani, Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor at CFYE spoke on CFYE’s, mission to create sustainable and dignified work for youth while also improving lives and transforming businesses.
Some of the topics set to be covered during the workshop include;
- Fundamentals of Mentorship & Coaching – Importance, essential skills, best practices, and youth-appropriate approaches.
- Understanding SMEs – Reviewing mentees’ business ideas, value propositions, and business models.
- Coaching and Mentoring Tools – Overview of the GROW Model and Emotional Intelligence as key coaching frameworks.
- Inclusivity and diversity – Insights on inclusive coaching practices.
- Industry Analysis & Gaps Closing – Tools such as SWOT, PESTEL, and Business Model Canvas.
- Employment Best Practices – Strategies for improved working conditions and youth employment.
The Twende Digital's project expansion to regions such as Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Kiambu, Nyeri, Kakamega, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Machakos and Coast, ensures that its impact is felt across all regions, particularly in marginalized and underserved communities. This partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration and innovation in creating lasting economic opportunities for Kenya’s youth and businesses.