How can technology unlock smarter, faster access to credit for today’s entrepreneurs? Every day, across towns, estates, and growing commercial hubs, entrepreneurs are doing more than just surviving; they are building businesses and creating jobs. They are trading, expanding, adapting, and finding smarter ways to serve their customers.The energy is there. The demand is there. […]
Highly educated, well informed, ambitious and energetic, the youth have what it takes to succeed in their respective careers and ultimately in life. Unfortunately, opportunities in the labour market are limited. According to a 2023 report by the Federation of Kenya Employers ( FKE), at 35%, Kenya’s unemployment rate is estimated at a staggering 67%. In a bid to overcome this hurdle, many young people in the country have ventured into entrepreneurship. Whereas some of them have been successful, others have not fared well hence the need to give them the necessary support. This can be through helping them to build strong networks with potential clients and service providers, access capital and market for their products as well as services, and most importantly, build resilience.
Through our monthly business magazine (Biashara Leo) we have showcased , over two hundred successful businesses owned and managed by young entrepreneurs since 2007. This has given us an opportunity to interview and gain first-hand experience regarding the lows and highs of young entrepreneurs in diverse fields like : agribusiness, information and communication technology ( ICT), hospitality , real estate, and media. By gathering information on how young entrepreneurs identify the fields that they ultimately venture into, navigate the start-up stage and fight to grow to the next level, we have been able to appreciate that entrepreneurship is not for the faint hearted. It is a grueling journey with many pitfalls. By and large, only those who build resilience and are passionate in their respective businesses are able to succeed. As celebrated playwright and poet, William Shakespeare said in his play, Julius Caesar : “ Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.”
