NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 23 – Youth unemployment remains one of East Africa’s toughest challenges, with nearly 70 percent of the population under 30 and millions entering the job market each year. Formal opportunities remain scarce, pushing many into informal work or underemployment.
To address the gap, the KCB Foundation has scaled up youth empowerment programmes across the region, focusing on vocational training, access to finance, and enterprise development.
In Kenya, its flagship 2Jiajiri programme has trained over 35,000 youth, supported the creation of more than 150,000 jobs, disbursed loans, and distributed 2,000 business start-up toolkits. The initiative targets sectors such as agribusiness, construction, mechanics, and beauty.
In Uganda, the Twekozese programme is equipping young people with vocational and financial skills to transition into self-employment. Rwanda’s Igire initiative supports youth-led enterprises tackling local challenges, while in Tanzania the Foundation has rolled out toolkits and training to help young people sustain livelihoods. Collectively, the programmes have reached more than 4.3 million youth across the region.
In Burundi, where over 65 percent of the population is under 25, the Foundation is running the Iteze Imbere programme, a partnership with KCB Bank Burundi. Despite official statistics putting unemployment at just 1 percent, most young people are trapped in informal and low-paying work. The initiative is providing vocational training, toolkits, and financing to help youth start small businesses.
One beneficiary, Ngarukiye Aime Fortuny, trained in architecture but unable to find steady work, turned to welding through Iteze Imbere. After six months of training and start-up support, he co-founded Tupos Group, a welding and construction enterprise that fabricates gates, public structures, and ecological garbage bins.
“We not only learned the theory but also engaged in practical projects. Today, we are confident, skilled, and able to take on welding jobs,” said Aime, who now markets his services on social media.
KCB Foundation Director Mendi Njonjo said the programmes were designed to unlock opportunities for young people to build sustainable futures. “Every success story reminds us that when we invest in youth, we are investing in stronger families, resilient communities, and a more prosperous region,” she said.
Through 2Jiajiri, Twekozese, Igire, and Iteze Imbere, the KCB Foundation is positioning youth empowerment as a driver of economic transformation, with an emphasis on skills development, enterprise growth, and regional impact.
