, NAIROBI,
Kenya Feb 25 – The UK government has issued a call for
proposals for the second round of the Business Innovation Challenge, which will
see five promising businesses receive grant funding and technical assistance
worth up to Sh13 million each.
The funding, which will be made available
through the Kenya Catalytic Jobs Fund, will focus on agriculture and
manufacturing, the informal sector and people in marginalized groups and areas.
Head
of the Department for International Development in Kenya Julius Court said the
four-year program will stimulate large-scale job creation.
“We
are delighted to be part of the efforts to tackle such constraints and promote
the growth of private sector in way that creates opportunities for youth, We
are listening when Kenyans tell the world they want mutually beneficial
partnerships that move beyond aid and attract quality investment and create
millions of jobs,” Court said.
Head
of Taka Taka solutions Daniel Paffenholz, who benefited from the first round of
the challenge said through the program, a total of 250 new jobs have been
created in the last six months.
“We
set up this project to support and get the recycling plan going, we intended to
create dignified jobs that make sense to all stakeholders,” Paffenholz said.
The Kenya Catalytic Jobs Fund is a Sh650
million 4-year programme, which was announced by former UK Prime Minister
Theresa May during her Kenya visit last year.
Other beneficiaries of the first round of the challenge included Savana Circuit based in West Pokot developed a cooling solution for dairy value and BuildHer deals with young women accredited construction skills.
Lynk
Jobs Limited which created a platform that provides workers with digital
career and marketing opportunities and Ten Senses Africa which produces, and
exports organic trade food macadamia and cashew nuts were the other beneficiaries.
All the companies received Sh13,000,000 each for technical assistance.
Speaking
during the launch of the challenge, Director of Information and communications technology Timothy Were said
employment of the youth will be a
solution to the country.
“If they are kept busy, they will be productive,” he said.
He further urged both private and public stakeholders to create innovative jobs noting that 80 per cent of the unemployed are 35 years and below.
