The National Enterprise Development Initiative (NEDI) Chief Executive Director John Nene Jaoko speaking during media interview on Mapping Drive to Unlock Youth and Women’s Economic Power at Utalii college in Nairobi on 14, November 2025.
By Peace Muthoka.
Nairobi 14, November 2025 – The National Enterprise Development Initiative (NEDI) on Friday opened its first-ever mapping workshop at Utalii College, marking the beginning of a structured effort to strengthen the socio-economic potential of youth and women across the Nairobi Metropolitan region. The initiative, themed “Tapping into the Youth and Women Socio-Economic Potential of the Nairobi Metropolitan Region,” brought together young innovators, women entrepreneurs, policymakers, development partners, and county youth officers for a hands-on, solutions-driven forum.
The workshop quickly set a practical tone. Instead of long speeches, participants moved into dynamic group sessions, where they shared experiences, identified gaps, and discussed the hurdles that keep many young people from turning ideas into viable enterprises. As discussions progressed, it became clear that the initiative seeks not only to empower individuals but also to rethink Kenya’s youth enterprise ecosystem.
A Shift From Fragmented Efforts to Collective Action
NEDI Chief Executive Director John Nene Jaoko said the country’s existing youth-support structures are strong on paper but weak in impact. He pointed out that although Kenya has developed extensive youth programs at both national and county levels, the results have not translated into growing industries or sustainable jobs.
“There is a robust youth infrastructure from national to county level, but we see very little impact in terms of businesses growing into cottage or bigger industries,” he explained. “What NEDI is doing differently is creating synergy. We are telling government, donors, and the private sector to stop working in silos.”
Jaoko further noted that Kenya’s youth empowerment blueprint mirrors the Scandinavian model, where small regional industries eventually fueled national growth. However, he stressed that such a transformation is only possible if all actors combine efforts and prioritize young entrepreneurs.
Guiding Youth Through Opportunities
While speaking with journalists, Jaoko emphasized the need to move beyond announcing youth funds without proper guidance.
“Don’t throw Hustler Fund or Youth Enterprise Fund at them and walk away,” he said. “We must chew these opportunities before giving them to the youth. They need step-by-step support.”
To address this gap, NEDI has adopted a simplified engagement model. Young innovators only need to describe their needs in under 300 words. The organization then helps refine their ideas, structures their projects, and links them to institutions with funding or technical support.
The workshop brought together 100 youth entrepreneurs drawn from counties within the Nairobi Metropolitan area. However, NEDI plans to expand nationwide. According to Jaoko, county youth offices though eager to assist are often under-resourced. Therefore, NEDI aims to strengthen these offices through partnerships with donors, private-sector partners, and national government agencies.
Youth Urged to Seize Influence in Politics and the Economy
During the workshop, business and political strategist Baffa Sulaiman Salah delivered a powerful message underscoring the urgency of youth participation in civic and economic life. He noted that more than 75 percent of Kenya’s population is under 35, making the youth not just beneficiaries of development but key drivers of national progress.
“Young people are not the future. They are the now,” he said. “Every great national transformation begins when youth rise with purpose.”
Salah warned that when young people withdraw from public affairs, they give up their power to shape decisions that affect access to credit, digital infrastructure, agricultural markets, and essential services. He urged them to approach politics with the same energy they bring to innovation and social media.
“Politics is the heartbeat of society,” he said. “If the youth refuse to lead, they leave their future in the hands of those who may not live to see it.”
He emphasized that political participation can fuel economic progress when youth influence policy on innovation, funding, and business development. “Governments cannot employ everyone,” he said. “But they can empower everyone.”
A New Network Takes Shape
As the day ended, participants expressed renewed optimism. Many said NEDI’s approach built on collaboration, clarity, and guided support could finally bridge the long-standing gap between youth talent and real economic opportunities.
With a national rollout planned, and new digital platforms ready to onboard thousands more young people, NEDI’s mapping initiative signals the rise of a structured and inclusive youth economic movement.
For many attendees, the message was clear: Kenya’s youth and women are not waiting for the future they are actively shaping it. And with NEDI’s support, they may finally have a clearer path to walk it with confidence.
