ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Ajira Digital Program is a Government of Kenya (GoK) initiative driven by the Ministry of Information, Communication & Digital Economy to empower over 1 million young people to access digital and digitally enabled jobs annually in the gig and freelancing economy. The program seeks to position Kenya as a choice labour destination for multinational companies and encourage local companies and the public sector to create digital work.
Mastercard Foundation partnered with the program in 2019, and the program now consists of a partnership between the Mastercard Foundation, the Ministry, and other private sector stakeholders – the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) (demand side), eMobilis (supply side), to actualize.
The program focuses on the following:
- Equipping young people with digital skills and connecting them with work, including gig work.
- Positioning Kenya as an attractive labour destination for multinational companies.
- Encouraging local companies and the public sector to create digital jobs.
Here are the various opportunities young people have through the Ajira Digital Program:
1. Ajira Youth Empowerment Centres (available throughout the country):
These are free walk-in centres where young people get trained and mentored on digital skills (mainly basic skills) and get connected to gig and freelancing work on online platforms.
- Check out available training courses below or visit https://ajiradigital.go.ke/ to register for free training and mentorship at an Ajira Youth Empowerment Centre near you.
- Drop in any time to access computers, the internet and other devices and resources at the centres to run your digital gigs.
- Take advantage of mentorship opportunities and other free support at the centres.
- The centres are good grounds for networking amongst peers and learning from each other on social and technical skills.
Some of the training courses offered include transcription, online marketing, design, social media, and basic e-commerce, among others.
2. Ajira Clubs
Over 35 Ajira Clubs have been set up Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and universities across the country to also offer training, mentorship and online work career fairs. Visit https://ajiradigital.go.ke/#/ajira-clubs to see the list of institutions with Ajira Clubs.
Visit https://ajiradigital.go.ke/ to get more information about the program, find Ajira Centres closest to you, find ongoing training and work opportunities, and join an Ajira Community.
The program started in 2019 and will run until December 2024.
WHO QUALIFIES?
The program is open to young women and men (aged 18-35) from all counties in Kenya who are passionate about success in the digital world.
Young women are encouraged to apply.
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
The program operates in all the 47 counties in Kenya.
ABOUT THE IMPLEMENTATION PARTNERS
eMobilis
eMobilis Technology Training Institute is an award-winning Information Communication and Technology (ICT) training institution that works to upskill young people in digital, software, and technological skills that help them succeed in the workplace of the future and be on the map of talent and innovation. Its goal is to ensure that talented African youth are available and trained in order to meet the growing opportunities and needs of the ICT industry in Africa.
Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA)
KEPSA is the apex organization in Kenyas private sector. KEPSA brings together local and foreign business associations, chambers of commerce, professional bodies, corporates from multinational companies, medium, SMEs, and start-ups from all sectors of the economy to enable them to speak with one voice when engaging government, development partners and other stakeholders on cross-cutting policy issues and programs for social – economic development of the country.
