Statistics have for far too long proven that youth can, have, and continue to play a pivotal role in driving community and national development forward—especially through tapping into opportunities in the digital economy.

To mention a few, according to Kenya’s ICT Ministry, youth-led startups have increased by over 30% in the past five years, particularly in technology-driven sectors like mobile payments, e-commerce, and digital marketing. Additionally, 1.2 million Kenyans work in the gig economy, according to a 2022 study by Mercy Corps Ventures. Most of these gig workers are under 30, with many leveraging platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and local equivalents such as Lynk to earn a living.

75% of Kenya’s population is under 35 years old and youth form a significant part of the country’s digital workforce. Yet youth, especially young women, face barriers such as limited access to the internet and lower digital literacy. These challenges hinder our young women and men from fully accessing opportunities in the digital economy. Imagine the level of potential and growth we would unlock without the looming digital divide!

Enhancing digital inclusion is not just significant —it is a sustainability issue that should be given utmost priority. Youth are indeed good for business, and with the current digital space growing at a fast rate, we must not only include them at the table but also support and allow them to lead.

At Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) Kenya, we recognise the existing hiccups in the digital economy. We understand the urgent need to bridge the digital divide and foster a more inclusive digital space where youth have equal access to opportunities.

Through partnering with like-minded organisations and collaborating with youth at community level—to mobilise and empower underserved and disadvantaged young people with digital literacy, 21st-century skills, and the self-confidence needed to thrive in an inclusive digital economy—we are enabling young people to create digital solutions that drive positive change in their communities across Kenya.

Anchoring on SGD 8, which aims to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all,  we are encouraged that the future is bright. Dive into what we have been up to, in our efforts to champion digital inclusion.

The past three quarters have been nothing short of new opportunities and driving our mission forward! In March 2024, we rolled out the Ganjisha Content Programme —a collaborative effort between the Africa Digital Media Foundation (ADMF) and Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) Kenya, supported by Google.org. The programme seeks to reduce youth unemployment in Kenya, through training in practical content creation skills, leading to increased skills, confidence, and more sustainable livelihoods over time.

In a period of 12 months, we aim to reach 7,000 young content creators aged 18-30 across 47 counties in Kenya. We are partnering with local CBOs accessible to youth at community level, where they are able to attend classes. We also host virtual masterclasses, info-sharing sessions, between participants and established content creators to share insights on content creation. Between April and October 2024, we trained over 4,500 youth (more than 50% being young women) across 28 counties. Click on this link to learn more about the project.

Community leaders play a critical role in facilitating our programmes, and in this case —-the Ganjisha Content Programme. Since April 2024, this dynamic group of young changemakers have been on a mission to empower young content creators in their respective communities across Kenya. Through a peer-led approach, community leaders equip creators with valuable skills to help them turn their passion into profit and set them up for success in the content world. Content creation is booming, and it's opening doors for youth everywhere. With support from DOT Kenya and ADMI, our community leaders are set to supercharge this movement and create a more empowered community of creators!

Meet and Greet Hangout with Youth in Nairobi and Kisumu

In August and September, we hosted a meet and greet event in Nairobi and Kisumu where we brought together young content creators—Ganjisha Content Program participants, to connect, engage and exchange on content monetisation. Henry Desagu and Sleepy David, Kenya’s renowned social media influencers, graced our event in Nairobi, whereas Georgina Randiak joined us in Kisumu. 

From her journey as an aspiring creator to becoming a rising star, Georgina's passion and consistency has enabled her to monetise content on social media platforms. Henry Desagu and Sleepy David shared valuable insights on strategies for success on content creation including:

✅ being unique and authentic;
✅ starting small and staying consistent;
✅ having confidence and;
✅ exploring marketing opportunities with brands.

For more information about the project, visit: bit.ly/GanjishaContent_Program.

In August and September we held practicum sessions in Kisumu and Nariobi. The sessions aimed to support community leaders, from various counties across Kenya, to sharpen their facilitation skills.

Watching these talented young women and men showcase their facilitation skills was nothing short of inspiring! They are leading the charge in driving change, and tremendously contributing to our mission to equip Kenyan youth with the skills they need to thrive in the digital economy.

On April 19th, our Country Director, Esther Gathigi-Kibugi joined Mr. Evans Gichuki and Njonjo Kamau for a panel discussion on the digital economy. The show, hosted by Gitonga Wambui and Wakarura Wa Nyutu, covered opportunities, challenges, and youth empowerment.

Interested in the Ganjisha Content Program? Click on this link to locate a centre near you and connect with our community leaders for personalised support!

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