Co-operative Bank of Kenya has stepped up efforts to empower young people across the country through regional forums designed to equip them with practical knowledge, business skills and access to market opportunities.
The bank is holding a series of regional engagements with partners as part of an initiative aimed at helping young people develop the skills and connections needed to pursue sustainable livelihoods and grow enterprises.
The forums seek to go beyond conventional financial support by giving young people practical knowledge that can help them identify opportunities, build businesses and navigate the challenges of the job market.
A key component of the initiative is market linkages, which can help young entrepreneurs connect with customers, suppliers, established businesses and other players within their respective sectors.
For many young people, having technical or entrepreneurial skills is only one part of the challenge. Access to markets remains critical in determining whether an enterprise can generate consistent income and grow.
The regional approach also allows the initiative to respond to opportunities and challenges specific to different parts of the country, while bringing young people closer to organisations and businesses that can support their ambitions.
The forums come at a time when youth unemployment and limited economic opportunities remain major concerns, making skills development and entrepreneurship important pathways towards creating sustainable livelihoods.
By bringing together young people, partners and industry players, the initiative seeks to create an environment where participants can gain practical knowledge while building networks that could translate into business and employment opportunities.
The bank’s engagement also reflects a growing recognition within the financial sector that supporting young people requires more than providing access to credit. Financial literacy, entrepreneurship training, mentorship and connections to markets can be equally important in helping young entrepreneurs succeed.
The regional forums are therefore expected to provide participants with exposure to practical solutions that can be applied within their communities.
For young entrepreneurs operating outside major urban centres, such opportunities can be particularly valuable, as they provide access to networks and information that may otherwise be difficult to obtain.
The initiative is part of Co-op Bank’s broader engagement with communities and entrepreneurs, with the lender seeking to work with partners to create opportunities for young people across the country.
As Kenya continues to grapple with the challenge of creating enough jobs for its growing youthful population, initiatives that combine skills, partnerships and market access could help young people move from seeking employment to creating sustainable enterprises.
The regional forums underline the importance of giving young people not only the knowledge to start businesses, but also the connections and opportunities needed to make those businesses work.
