Kenya is set to roll out a digital upskilling programme to enhance the employability of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the youth, by training over 50,000 entrepreneurs. – By Gerald Gekara.
Several institutions and organizations are set to benefit from the programme that seeks to develop a tech-savvy workforce.
The programme will be rolled out under the Trade Ministry in partnership with Stanbic Kenya Foundation and Microsoft Kenya.
Currently Kenya has 7.4m MSMEs operating locally who contribute 34% to the GDP.
According to Trade and Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Betty Maina impacting the SMEs with have a chain reaction on the economy.
“More than 90 percent of businesses in Kenya and around the world are run by Entrepreneurs/SMEs. Digital skills is what will take them to the next level. We welcome the private sector in supporting the government’s efforts to advance our digital strategy. ” Said Trade CS Betty Maina.
The program expects to place 2,000 youth into employment this year.
“At Microsoft, equipping citizens with adequate resources and technology so that they are able to upskill and re-skill has always been at the centre of our work. ” said Kendi Nderitu, Country Manager at Microsoft in Kenya.
