Susan Mang’eni, a Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Cooperatives, revealed on Monday July 15, 2024 the initiation of the Center for Entrepreneurship (C4E) project in the current fiscal year, following a substantial Ksh 3.6 billion contribution from Germany aimed at empowering youth employment nationwide.

Mang’eni affirmed, “The C4E project will commence this financial year and is set to achieve significant milestones by engaging in youth awareness campaigns, skill enhancement, and the creation of job prospects aligning with the Bottom-Up Economic Agenda.”

This initiative, supported by a concessional loan from Germany’s KFW Development Bank, underscores the government’s commitment to the project with a 5% funding contribution.

Established through collaborative efforts between Kenya and Germany in 2018, the project falls under the Promotion of Entrepreneurship and Employment program, part of the Germany Development Cooperation (GDC) with Kenya.

The focal point of the C4E endeavor is the creation of a center at the Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE) Headquarters in Nairobi, alongside five satellite centers at regional KIE offices, promoting self-employment, job stability, start-up backing, and youth-focused enterprise promotion.

Expected to escalate entrepreneurship and employment prospects for the youth, C4E will provide comprehensive services including talent screenings, guidance on training opportunities, online learning resources, and the establishment of a Makers Space collaborative facility.