Ruto Waives Business Permit Fees for NYOTA Youth

On Friday, July 10, 2026, President William Ruto announced a two-year business permit waiver for beneficiaries of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme.

The President made the announcement during the launch of NYOTA Phase II at the Ulinzi Sports Complex. The directive aims to reduce startup costs and help young entrepreneurs establish sustainable businesses.

KSh 3.06 Billion Released to Youth

The government disbursed KSh 3.06 billion to 122,000 young entrepreneurs across the country. More than 88,000 beneficiaries received a second KSh 25,000 tranche.

Meanwhile, over 33,000 new beneficiaries received their first KSh 25,000 payment. The funding seeks to support startups and strengthen youth-owned businesses.

Additional Support for Entrepreneurs

President Ruto also directed the Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to create a unique identification system for beneficiaries. The identification will help young entrepreneurs access government services more efficiently.

In addition, state financial institutions will develop a NYOTA Growth Product to provide additional financing. The product will support businesses seeking expansion after the initial funding.

820,000 Youth

The NYOTA programme is jointly funded by the Government of Kenya and the World Bank. The initiative aims to benefit more than 820,000 vulnerable young people nationwide.

Besides financial support, the programme offers practical work experience and skills certification through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Participants also receive training on accessing government procurement opportunities.

Boosting Youth Employment

The latest measures reflect the government’s broader efforts to promote youth entrepreneurship and job creation.

Officials expect the business permit waiver and additional financing to help more young Kenyans start, grow, and sustain their businesses.