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

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
30.08.2024
PropelA Apprentices Emerge as Top Contenders at the 2024 World Skills Kenya National Competition
Held from August 19th to 23rd at the Kenya School of TVET in Nairobi, the 2024 World Skills Kenya National Competition brought together top talent from TVET institutions across the country. Over five days, participants tackled complex projects across various trades. The competition focused on elevating technical skills across 12 key trades in Kenya including electrical installation and plumbing trades. The PropelA apprentices emerged top in both categories, reflecting the effectiveness of the programme.
Kenya
Initial vocational education and training
29.08.2024
Mombasa's Private Sector Exposure Visit to the PropelA Dual Apprenticeship Program in Nairobi
The PropelA project’s commitment extends beyond training; we aim to actively engage and educate stakeholders, including government bodies and private sector partners, on the transformative potential of dual vocational apprenticeship programs. Our goal is to influence national policies and strengthen the private sector's commitment to these innovative training models that align with industry needs.
Kenya
12.08.2024
Swisscontact Gives Back to the Community on International Youth Day
A key aspect of PropelA’s success is its holistic approach to youth development. While technical skills are crucial, the program also emphasizes community engagement and social responsibility.In line with this mission and to celebrate #InternationalYouthDay, we organized a community cleanup in the Karen area, where our partner, Don Bosco is based. Our apprentices took part in collecting garbage and tidying up the local market area. Through such experiences, PropelA aims to foster a sense of civic duty and empower young people to actively contribute to their communities.
Country Director Kenya
Lillian Mwai - Ndegwa

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