The bustling city of Mombasa recently played host to the prestigious Vijana2Invest Business Clinic, held as a part of the Pwani Innovation Week 2023 at Swahilipot Hub.
The event, aimed at empowering Kenya’s youth with the skills and knowledge needed to transition from wage earners to business owners, has ignited a sense of excitement and determination among the country’s vibrant young population.
The business clinic, featuring prominent speakers such as Mahmoud Noor, Chief Mentor of the Swahilipot Hub and June Chepkemei, Managing Director of KenInvest, emphasized the importance of self-employment and entrepreneurship.
The speakers encouraged the youth to become employers themselves by starting their businesses and subsequently employing other young individuals, thus addressing the pressing issue of unemployment and reducing dependency on the government for jobs.
Mr Noor, in his keynote address, highlighted the government’s role in empowering the youth with the necessary skills and creating an environment conducive to learning and investment.
He urged the attendees to recognize business opportunities in challenges and become risk-takers with a long-term vision.
MD of KenInvest, June Chepkemei stressed the distinction between doing business and investing. She urged young entrepreneurs to think beyond profits and consider attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) once their ideas and innovations are scaled up, thereby evolving from business owners to investors.
It is worth noting that recently, Principal Secretary (PS) for Investment Promotion, Abubakar Hassan expressed his excitement about the launch of the Vijana2Invest masterclass in Mombasa.
He recognized the importance of empowering the youth to become owners of capital and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Mr Abubakar praised the innovative ideas and determination displayed by Kenya’s youth, emphasizing their potential contributions to the nation’s economic growth and development. He also acknowledged Kenya’s skilled workforce and recognized the need to harness their potential to create an inclusive and prosperous economy for the nation’s future.
Youth and Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba launched the Vijana2Invest initiative in Nairobi in August.
Vijana2Invest is a foundational enterprise development program with the primary purpose of educating young people (youths) about various aspects of wealth creation and investments, along with addressing other financial challenges.
The program is intended to provide young individuals with knowledge and skills related to financial management, business development, and investment, ultimately empowering them to make informed decisions and improve their financial well-being.
The Vijana2Invest Business Clinic, held at Pwani Innovation Week 2023, signifies a significant step in empowering Kenya’s youth. By providing them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and opportunities, the event aims to build a foundation for a thriving and prosperous future where the country’s young generation actively contributes to its economic success.
The spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation ignited by this event is set to shape Coastal counties’ promising economic landscape and Kenya at large.