World Bank Approves $60 Million for Kenya to Support Youth Empowerment

Strategic Insights -

The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has approved $60 million to support unemployed youth in Kenya through the Kenya Youth Empowerment Project. This project aims to increase access to youth-targeted temporary employment programs and improve youth employability, tackling high rates of unemployment and underemployment among Kenya's youth. With about one in five youth neither in school nor working, Kenya is struggling to manage its growing population. Johannes Zutt, the World Bank's Country Director for Kenya, emphasizes that if neglected, Kenya's youth can become a source of crime and violence, but with support, they can be an asset and a source of growth.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Kenya Youth Empowerment Project aims to support approximately 200,000 unemployed youth with training, apprenticeships, and short-term jobs, improving their long-term employability.
  • The project will focus on disadvantaged youth, providing opportunities for them to become productive members of society.
  • The Government of Kenya has a renewed commitment to addressing youth issues, with youth unemployment as a top priority.
  • The Kazi Kwa Vijana program, launched in April 2009 as part of Kenya's stimulus package, aims to employ youth in rural and urban areas in labor-intensive public works projects.
  • The Government of Kenya developed a Marshal Plan for youth unemployment in 2007, emphasizing a coordinated and multi-sectoral approach to addressing the problem of youth unemployment and youth idleness.
  • The World Bank's Country Director for Kenya, Johannes Zutt, highlights the importance of supporting Kenya's youth, as neglected youth can become a source of crime and violence, but with support, they can be an asset and a source of growth.

Statistics:

  • $60 million approved by the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors to support unemployed youth in Kenya.
  • Approximately 200,000 unemployed youth expected to benefit from the Kenya Youth Empowerment Project.
  • Over one in five Kenya's youth (20%) neither in school nor working.
  • High rates of unemployment and underemployment among Kenya's youth, with the overall unemployment rate for youth double the adult average.
  • The Kenya Youth Empowerment Project will work with the Kenya Private Sector Alliance and other partners to provide opportunities for disadvantaged unemployed youth.

Sources:

  • Euclid Infotech Pvt. Ltd.
  • Syndigate.info
  • Albawaba.com