By 
I&M Foundation has announced a partnership with The King’s Trust International and Asante Africa Foundation to foster entrepreneurial skills and business knowledge among high school students in remote areas of four Kenyan counties. In 2024, the Enterprise Challenge (EC) Programme will reach 1,716 students from 22 Narok, Samburu, Marsabit, and Turkana Counties schools.
The EC Programme integrates youth-centred digital learning tools to enhance concept delivery and improve learning outcomes during the club-based stage. After being introduced to business management fundamentals, students will engage with the Enterprise Computer Game, a business simulation platform developed by KTI. This platform allows students to create and manage their own micro-businesses, covering areas like commodity selection, pricing models, ethical practices, and staffing.
The programme addresses the growing need for innovative job creation strategies. Statista said only 563,000 students were enrolled in Kenyan universities during the 2022/23 academic year. Furthermore, in 2023, Kenya’s informal sector accounted for 85% of employment, highlighting graduates’ challenges in securing formal jobs.
Start off your week with tech news recap and trending conversations in your inbox
James Gatere, Head of I&M Foundation, stated, “The Bank’s iMara strategy aims to impact more than 10 million lives by 2026. This partnership reflects our commitment to this goal. I&M Foundation’s endowment of Kes 48.1 million will allow the EC Programme to expand significantly, with a projected total of 6,300 students by the end of its current cycle.”
Asante Africa Foundation is the EC’s implementing partner and delivers it as part of the Youth Livelihoods Programme (YLP). In the EC phase, students are encouraged to develop business ideas and pitch them to local business leaders, with opportunities to compete at regional and national levels. Business mentors support participants throughout the process, and national winners will receive seed funding for their enterprise ideas.
Geoffrey Kasangaki, Deputy CEO of Asante Africa Foundation, emphasized the importance of reaching more rural youth, while Country Manager Nickson Ateku noted that the funds will support digital tools, seed capital for winning concepts, mentorship, and programme evaluation.
Will Straw, CEO of The King’s Trust International, highlighted the expansion of the EC Programme, which is expected to triple in size over the next three years. The partnership will reach over 40 schools and more than 2,000 students annually and promote digital literacy and inclusion across selected schools.
Aligned with global sustainable development goals, the Enterprise Challenge Programme encourages students to integrate ethical and sustainable practices into their business ideas, with extra points awarded for such considerations.
Comments