A boost for the economy through digitalised vocational training

Together with its European JEFIC partners, KfW is promoting high-quality technical and vocational education for Kenyan youth – a strategic investment within the framework of Global Gateway

Together with the French Development Agency (AFD) and the EU, KfW, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is supporting the Kenyan government in the digitalisation of vocational education and training. The aim of this transformation is to adapt the skills of young people entering the Kenyan labour market to the needs of a digital economy. With their latest joint project, the JEFIC partners KfW and AFD are also contributing to the EU's geostrategic Global Gateway initiative, thereby supporting Europe's resilience, competitiveness, and autonomy.

KfW’s longstanding commitment to the education sector

Kenya is the largest economy in East and Central Africa and an important partner of Germany. With an annual growth rate of around 5 per cent, the resource-rich country possesses high economic potential combined with favorable demographic conditions. The average age is only 20, and approximately one million young people enter the labour market each year. However, youth unemployment tends to be high, as the general level of education often does not meet the required qualifications. This is where the commitment of KfW Development Bank, which has been supporting the modernisation of vocational education and training under the TVET I and II programmes since 2020, comes in. Activites include, among other things, the establishment or rehabilitation, and equipping of seven centres of excellence with workshops at existing vocational schools, the introduction of the dual system in partnership with industry, improved information and communication, and the adaptation of the legal and regulatory framework. The goal is to create at least 660 additional apprenticeships and further qualification and mentoring opportunities for nearly 800 young people annually in Phases I and II. The inauguration of the new workshops is planned this year for Phase I and next year for Phase II.

Scholarships for talented but poor young people

Access to modern, future-oriented vocational training, and thus to economic and social participation, often fails because families cannot raise the necessary funds – especially since vocational training in Kenya involves tuition fees and trainees receive no financial support. Therefore, gifted young people can receive scholarships for vocational training through "Wings to Fly". This programme has been supported by KfW, together with funds from the Equity Group Foundation (EGF), in the area of secondary education since 2013 and has been extended to vocational training since 2023. Currently, there are around 800 scholarship recipients who were selected in a nationwide process based on their academic achievements and who are now learning a profession – another 1,200 will follow in the coming weeks and begin their training thanks to "Wings to Fly".