By Maximilla Wafula, Sub Editor -The County Diary News
NAIROBI, November 4, 2026 -More than Sh300 billion in annual government procurement opportunities could become accessible to young entrepreneurs, women and persons with disabilities following the rollout of a new digital training programme designed to help small businesses compete for public tenders.
The National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project has introduced its fourth component, the NYOTA AGPO Digital Training Programme, in a move that seeks to transform the government’s 30 per cent procurement reservation policy into tangible business opportunities for thousands of Kenyans.
The initiative comes at a time when many eligible enterprises continue to struggle to access government tenders despite the legal provision under Section 53(6) of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015, which reserves at least 30 per cent of public procurement for enterprises owned by youth, women and persons with disabilities.
According to Principal Secretary Susan Mang’eni, the current financial year’s estimated Sh4.8 trillion government budget presents procurement opportunities worth at least Sh1 trillion, with the AGPO allocation translating to approximately Sh300 billion.
However, low awareness, complicated application procedures, limited business formalization and inadequate tender-readiness skills have continued to prevent many small enterprises from benefiting.
The free programme targets more than 600,000 young entrepreneurs and is expected to expand NYOTA’s overall reach to over 820,000 beneficiaries.
Participants will undergo five self-paced modules over ten weeks, covering business readiness, tender preparation, electronic government procurement systems, contract execution, financing and enterprise governance.
Registration is open through the zero-rated USSD code *254# by selecting NYOTA AGPO. Training materials will be available in English and Kiswahili.
Successful participants will receive proficiency certificates, while those without registered businesses will be linked to Business Registration Services for assistance with formalization.
The government is also developing invoice-discounting arrangements within 60 days after delivery to ease cash-flow challenges among successful tenderers.
Beyond training, the programme presents an opportunity to connect previously excluded entrepreneurs to markets, financing and sustainable business growth.
The ultimate test will be whether the Sh300 billion opportunity translates into contracts, timely payments and lasting economic empowerment.
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