Investing in digital skills will help to create jobs for youth
Opinion
By
Fridah Okello
| Jul 17, 2025
I recently met Cleophas Ekuom, a young man whose story speaks for many youth in Kenya. In his mid-twenties, he worked as a security guard responding to emergencies in Mombasa. During the night shifts, he would often scroll through his phone. He was not looking to pass time, he believed in a better future that offered more meaning after completion of his diploma in Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Mr Ekuom, like many young Kenyans, had completed school, tried to find a decent job and stayed hopeful. However, as many say, hope does not pay rent or put food on the table. The tech job market in the formal sector had no space for him. One day, he came across an advert for a digital skills training programme. It did not require any prior experience, just curiosity and a willingness to learn. That single sign up changed the course of his life.
Today, he works as an operations analyst and ICT technician in addition to developing websites after gaining digital skills through training offered by Westerwelle Startup Haus. He helps businesses build online platforms, earns an income, manages his time, and feels proud that he can use his skills to create solutions. Mentorship helped him to create value on his own. His journey is a clear example of what can happen when young people are given the tools they need to grow in a world that is increasingly digital.
As we mark World Youth Skills Day, stories like Ekuom’s remind us that giving youth the right tools is a necessary action. Youth unemployment remains one of the biggest problems in Kenya. Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows that nearly one out of five young people between the ages of 15 and 34 is unemployed. The numbers are worse among those between 20 and 24. Many have degrees and diplomas, but they still struggle to find meaningful work.
Even though jobs in the traditional economy are becoming fewer, new opportunities are opening up in the digital space. These include helping companies market their products on the internet, building software, running online shops, or creating digital content. However, to take part in this new economy, young people must first learn digital skills.
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Sadly, a large number of Kenyan youth are still shut out from this world. In Nairobi and other cities, close to half of young people own smart devices. However, in rural areas, more than a fifth do not even own a basic phone. This is not just a matter of technology. It reflects deeper problems of inequality and lack of opportunity.
Programmes like Digitalents, which trained Ekuom, are doing important work. The programme teaches young people about coding, marketing, business planning, and how to attract customers online. These programmes do more than teach, they give young people a sense of purpose and a chance to earn a living.
The government is also playing a role through efforts such as Ajira Digital. This programme helps youth prepare for online jobs. At the same time, the Digital Superhighway project is laying down fibre cables to improve internet access across the country. International partners are also supporting digital skills training in Kenya.
However, there is still a lot of work to do. These training programmes need to grow so they can reach more youth in parts of the country that are often left behind. Access to phones and affordable internet should be treated as a basic need. In addition, the training must be connected to real jobs and markets, not just theory.
The future belongs to those who are prepared, and Kenya must make sure its youth are ready.
Ms Okello is programme manager at Friedrich Naumann Foundation