What You Need to Know
The Kenyan government is set to launch the second phase of mandatory business skills training for NYOTA Project beneficiaries on April 20, 2026. This initiative aims to strengthen small enterprises by addressing gaps identified in an earlier mentorship phase, with training conducted at the constituency level nationwide.
Africa-Press – Kenya. The government has scheduled the second phase of mandatory business skills training for beneficiaries of the NYOTA Project, set to begin on April 20, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen small enterprises supported under the programme.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Principal Secretary Susan Mang’eni said the classroom-based training will be conducted at the constituency level across the country and will focus on addressing gaps identified during an earlier mentorship phase.
The announcement follows the conclusion of the project’s first mentorship programme on April 8, 2026, which targeted beneficiaries across all 1,450 wards nationwide.
According to the statement, more than 5,500 mentors were engaged to support participants through site visits, guided business discussions, experience sharing and peer mentorship.
The ministry said 97 per cent of beneficiaries who received the first tranche of start-up capital took part in the mentorship programme. It added that 99 per cent of those engaged have already established their businesses, while the remainder are in the process of doing so.
Findings from the mentorship exercise indicate that 84 per cent of the participants are first-time entrepreneurs with less than one year of business experience.
The ministry said this highlights the need for continued support beyond the project period.
Beneficiaries will receive invitations to the upcoming training through official communication channels.
Only those who participated in the initial mentorship programme will be eligible to attend.
The statement further noted that full attendance and participation in the second training will be a mandatory requirement for beneficiaries to qualify for the disbursement of the second tranche of start-up capital amounting to Sh25,000.
The NYOTA Project is part of Kenya’s broader efforts to enhance entrepreneurship and support small businesses. The first phase of the project included a mentorship program that engaged over 5,500 mentors across the country, helping participants establish their businesses. With a significant percentage of beneficiaries being first-time entrepreneurs, the government recognizes the importance of ongoing support to ensure their success in the competitive business landscape. The upcoming training is designed to build on the skills acquired during the mentorship phase and facilitate further growth for small enterprises.
