{
  "id": 18118544,
  "title": "Government launches NYOTA AGPO Digital Training for 600,000 entrepreneurs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/government-launches-nyota-agpo-digital-training-for-600-000",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-04T12:18:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KBC",
    "slug": "kbc",
    "url": "https://www.kbc.co.ke/government-launches-nyota-agpo-digital-training-for-600000-entrepreneurs/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Kenyan government has launched the NYOTA AGPO Digital Training Programme, a new initiative targeting over 600,000 young entrepreneurs to boost their access to government procurement opportunities. This initiative, the fourth component of the NYOTA project, aims to equip young entrepreneurs, women, and persons with disabilities with essential skills, knowledge, and connections to enhance their chances of winning government tenders.\n\nSpeaking at the launch, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Principal Secretary Susan Mang'eni explained that the government is capitalizing on the success of previous NYOTA project components, including Business Support, On Job Experience (OJE), and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). The programme is expected to reach more than 820,000 beneficiaries, as per the project design, surpassing the initial target of 600,000.\n\nUnder Kenyan law, Section 53(6) of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act (PPADA), 2015, mandates the government to reserve a minimum of 30% of its annual procurement budget for enterprises owned by youth, women, and persons with disabilities. With an estimated budget of Kshs. 4.8 trillion for the current financial year, this translates to a potential procurement value of at least Kshs. 300 billion for eligible beneficiaries. However, the government notes that the absorption rate remains low, hampered by factors such as limited awareness of AGPO, complicated application procedures, low business formalization, and insufficient enterprise readiness.\n\nThe AGPO Digital Training Programme is designed to address these challenges and spur AGPO uptake among youth entrepreneurs, thereby expanding their markets and providing the necessary competencies to perform government tenders. The training is offered free of charge and consists of five self-paced modules delivered over a ten-week period. Each module spans two weeks, with the first week dedicated to course work and the second week to practical sessions. Topics covered include AGPO foundations and business readiness, bid preparation and tender documentation, registering and bidding on government electronic procurement systems, contract execution, cash flow management, procurement financing, governance, record keeping, and strategies for building a sustainable enterprise.\n\nThe training modules are available in both English and Kiswahili and will be supplemented with practical sessions led by industry experts and live interactive Q&A sessions. Interested applicants can enroll by dialing the zero-rated USSD Short code *254#, selecting NYOTA AGPO, and following the registration instructions, which will be sent via SMS. The government will also provide a subsidized data bundle in partnership with Safaricom to facilitate training access.",
  "summary": "The government has rolled out the NYOTA AGPO Digital Training Programme, targeting more than 600,000 young entrepreneurs with skills and knowledge to improve their access to government procurement opportunities. The Program which forms the fourth component of the NYOTA project is aimed at equipping young entrepreneurs, women and persons with disabilities with skills, knowledge and […] The post…",
  "key_points": [
    "NYOTA AGPO Digital Training targets 600,000 entrepreneurs",
    "Initiative aims to boost government procurement access",
    "Programme designed to address awareness and application challenges"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}