Kenya

Kenya, with its central location, extensive road network and port, is the economic hub of East Africa. In recent years, Kenya experienced steady economic growth and an expanding entrepreneurial middle class. Agriculture is the main economic driver contributing to 25% of its GDP. Kenya boasts of a relatively mature financial system with the fintech sector among the fastest growing in Africa.   

Kenya is a youthful country, with 75% of its population below 35 years. For years, Kenya has played a critical role in supporting humanitarian activities in the region and today serves as the second biggest refugee-hosting country in Africa. Kenya's focus lies on eradicating poverty and growing the economy through the Big Four Agenda that creates jobs in the fastest growing industries - manufacturing, food security, housing, and healthcare.
 
Kenya

facts and Figures

  • Area: 580,367 km²
  • Population: 47.6 million
  • Capital: Nairobi

Swisscontact in Kenya

  • since 1997

Projects

2025 - 2026
Kenya
Labour market insertion, Entrepreneurial ecosystems, Migration
Enhancing the Resilience and Adaptive Capacity of refugees and host communities in Turkana County (CP WASH)
The CP WASH project enhances access to sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in Turkana County, empowering refugees and host communities to become more resilient, economically self-reliant, and climate- adaptive. Through private-sector-led, market-based solutions, the project transforms WASH challenges into economic opportunities by integrating entrepreneurship, scalable business models, and circular economy approaches.

 
2022 - 2025
Kenya
Initial vocational education and training
Building skills for young plumbers and electricians through dual apprenticeship training (PropelA)
The PropelA project seeks to introduce a dual apprenticeship model driven by employers for the construction industry in Kenya and beyond, starting with plumbers and electricians.

News

Kenya
Initial vocational education and training
19.05.2025
Swisscontact Showcases PropelA as a Successful Dual Apprenticeship Model at the Regional Conference on Quality Skills and Apprenticeship Systems in Africa
PropelA was highlighted as a leading example of a private sector-led dual apprenticeship in Kenya. Initially a successful apprenticeship prototype, PropelA is now a nationally and regionally recognized model, referenced by government and institutions across Sub-Saharan Africa. It is shaping the dialogue around private sector-led apprenticeships—Kenya’s first of its kind—and anchoring the country’s position in regional efforts to strengthen skills development.
Kenya
Initial vocational education and training
09.05.2025
CEO Networking Event: The Business Value of Investing in Apprenticeship
As the PropelA Programme prepares to recruit the fourth cohort of apprentices, the event provided a valuable platform for business leaders to explore how apprenticeships can be a strategic asset—not just for youth empowerment, but for long-term business growth
Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda
25.03.2025
Women Breaking Barriers #AcceleratingAction Across Central, East and Southern Africa
Did you know that women make up over 50% of the agricultural workforce in Sub-Saharan Africa, yet they own less than 20% of the land? Or that in Kenya, only 29% of senior management positions are held by women, despite them accounting for nearly half of the labor force? Across Tanzania, Rwanda, and Mozambique, similar gaps persist — in access to credit, education, and leadership opportunities. But change is happening. This International Women’s month, Swisscontact celebrates the unstoppable momentum of women breaking barriers and accelerating action. Under the theme #AccelerateAction, we spotlight the powerful stories of women transforming industries, building sustainable futures, and reshaping the landscape of inclusion and equality.

Interventions

Swisscontact works in Kenya to reduce unemployment and improve the livelihoods of refugees, smallholders, MSMEs and the youth. Swisscontact strengthens their prospects of gainful employment by facilitating technical skills training, promoting financial literacy, and offering linkages to formal financial institutions.  

For over a decade, Swisscontact has played a role in alleviating poverty through implementing interventions that increase access to financial products and services. Through Inclusive Finance Programmes micro-enterprises, subsistence farmers and low-income households have increased their economic activities.  

In the Kakuma Refugee Camp Swisscontact supports refugees and the host community to move from humanitarian support to a lasting development pathway. Activities include income-generating capabilities and employability by facilitating technical skills training in addition to literacy, numeracy, financial and life skills, combining theoretical and hands-on techniques. 

2006 - 2020
Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda
Entrepreneurial ecosystems
Inclusive Finance Programme - 14 Years of Financial Services in East Africa
Although the 2018 IMF Financial Access Survey confirms a positive trend in access to financial products and services in Sub-Saharan Africa, many people are still excluded from the formal financial market system. Sub-Saharan Africa comprises 48 countries and 47% of the people live on less than $ 1.9 a day (World Bank 2018). To a considerable extent...
Skills for Life - project journey
The Promoting Life Skills and Livelihoods project commonly referred to as Skills for Life (S4L) was designed to strengthen the income-generating capabilities of youth (both refugee and from the host community) in Kakuma by enhancing their technical, financial, life and literacy skills to improve their chances of an enriched livelihood.
Microleasing
Transforming the lives of entrepreneurs and smallholder farmers through innovative financial solutions.

The Journey of Microleasing in Eastern Africa 2006 – 2017.
Jobs
Motivated and productive employees with initiative constitute the most important success factor in all areas of our work. We count on individuals who are looking to the future, impact- and team-oriented, and want to work in international development cooperation.

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Contact

Swisscontact in Kenya
6th Floor, Victoria Plaza
11 Parklands Road, Westlands
Nairobi