KCB Group is scaling the 2Jiajiri, the youth empowerment and job creation programme in Kenya, and extending it to the other markets where it operates. This will see the foundation expand the programme to Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda with entry in South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo planned later to jobs for youths.
The KCB Foundation, in partnership with the German Government — implemented by GIZ — graduated 3,500 graduates in the construction sector at an event that was graced by Kenya’s President Dr William Ruto.
“We are deliberate and committed to change the youth story by creating more jobs working with corporates and other partners,” Dr William Ruto said. “We will incorporate the youth in all government projects, beginning with the housing agenda that seeks to create opportunities for 1million youth.”
2Jiajiri aims to create at least 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs while helping to set up 30,000 businesses over the next five years.
KCB Group Plc Chairman Dr Joseph Kinyua said KCB Group is giving youths what they deserve in an effort to dignify the informal sector, which is hoped to boost their morale in contributing to East Africa’s growth.
“Access to skills and finances will help them buy tools and acquire knowledge that will give them dignity in their work,” says Dr Kinyua. “We are looking at raising the next generation of highly skilled and reliable masons, electricians, carpenters, hairdressers and mechanics among other trades.”
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The graduating youth were trained in the building and construction sector courtesy of a three-year regional partnership between GIZ’s Employment for Skills Development in Africa (E4D) Programme, and KCB Foundation.
KCB Group CEO Paul Russo said: “We are seeing a growing crop of bright-eyed young entrepreneurs whose passion is contagious and whose perspective of the world and the future is always exciting. We are giving them meaningful opportunities to start and grow their business.” .
Locally, the KCB Foundation/GIZ programme has resulted in the creation of 1,257 businesses, 7,272 jobs directly and indirectly and supporting over 10,000 households.
“We leverage an integrated approach that includes upskilling to make small and medium-sized businesses more competitive, so they can meet the growing demand for supplies and services in the market. Ultimately, our goal is to generate more decent and sustainable employment in East Africa,” said GIZ E4D Kenya Team Leader, Mr Thomas Jaeschke.
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Launched in 2016, the 2jiajiri program has created over 119,000 jobs. The programme focuses on formalizing the informal sector and growing micro-enterprises to a place where they can employ an average of 5 other young people.
To date, 22,959 youth have received technical and entrepreneurial training and Ksh259 million disbursed as loans to enable youth to set up their business enterprises through provision of capital.
