Susan Mang'eni, a Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Cooperatives, on Monday announced that the Center for Entrepreneurship (C4E) project will kick off this financial year.
The PS noted that the project, which is funded by Germany, is aimed at boosting employment of the youth across the country.
It is estimated to cost Ksh3.6 billion (Euro 25.9 million), which is a concessional loan from the KFW Development Bank from the Federal Republic of Germany. The government of Kenya will contribute 5 per cent of the funding.
"The C4E project will kick off this financial year and aims to reach significant milestones during its implementation through engagement of youth awareness campaigns, skills development and creation of employment opportunities in line with the Bottom-Up Economic Agenda," Mang'eni stated in a statement.
The project was a result of Bilateral Cooperation negotiations between the Government of Kenya and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany in December 2018.
At the time, it was agreed that the Promotion of Entrepreneurship and Employment programme would be one of the projects to be implemented under the Germany Development Cooperation (GDC) with Kenya.
As part of the project, a C4E center will be created at the Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE) Headquarters, Nairobi, and five satellite centers at KIE regional offices.
"The general objective is to enhance employment through self-employment, permanent employment, start-up support, or the promotion of a young business with a focus on youth," added the statement.
"The project is expected to increase entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for youth, increase income and wealth creation to the youth."
C4E, therefore, will be designed to offer five main services including orientation of the youth through in-depth screening in relation to talents, motivation, interests, and needs for skills development as well as Information on training and business development services providers.
Other services include advice to identify the most suitable training institutions or business service providers, mobile and online platforms providing information on learning/training opportunities and establishing the Makers Space (a common user facility).