KCB 2Jiajiri Program: Youth Empowerment & Job Creation Across East Africa

2Jiajiri Program: Youth Empowerment and Job Creation in East Africa

Launched in 2016, 2Jiajiri is a youth empowerment and job creation program that equips out-of-school youth and women with technical vocational skills. The primary objective is to empower and equip unemployed and out-of-school youth to grow micro enterprises by providing them with technical skill training opportunities.

The program also up-skills and certifies existing micro-enterprises that wish to move their business from the informal to the formal sector. Through accredited institutions, participants receive hands-on training, financial literacy, business development support, mentorship, and access to startup kits and financing. The goal is to help them establish sustainable enterprises or transition into gainful employment.

Target Sectors for Vocational Training

Participants in the 2Jiajiri program receive training in key economic sectors that have a high demand for skilled labor. These sectors include:

Agribusiness
Construction
Automotive engineering
Beauty and personal care
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

The Opportunity Gap in East Africa

Economic projections suggest that East African economies are on the cusp of significant growth over the next few decades. This momentum will be fueled, in large part, by a highly skilled workforce and improved access to capital. Two demographic groups are central to this transformation: the youth, who represent the largest share of the population, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which drive much of the region’s economic activity.

The Challenge Facing Youth and MSMEs

Both groups face persistent barriers. Youth across the region continue to experience high levels of unemployment and underemployment, often due to a disconnect between the skills they acquire and those demanded by the market. Many are out of school and lack access to practical, industry-aligned training. Meanwhile, MSMEs struggle with limited capital, inadequate business support, and weak integration into formal economic structures.

A stark example of this mismatch is evident in the blue-collar sector. Trades such as plumbing, electrical work, and automotive mechanics suffer chronic talent shortages, even as large numbers of young people remain without work. This paradox highlights the urgent need for holistic interventions that align training with opportunity, empowering both youth and MSMEs to become engines of inclusive, sustainable growth.

How 2Jiajiri is Driving Change

The 2Jiajiri program empowers unemployed and out-of-school youth by equipping them with technical skills, entrepreneurship training, and access to capital. The program also runs focused initiatives such as DigiFlame, a gender-lens digital finance product for low-income women, and works closely with county governments, development partners, and industry associations.

Support Offered to Participants

The program model is designed to provide end-to-end support for entrepreneurs and job seekers. The core offerings include:

Sponsorship of vocational training at accredited TVETs across Kenya
Business development services including mentorship, coaching, and business planning
Provision of startup toolkits for qualified graduates
Access to single-digit loan facilities through KCB Bank
Post-training incubation and formalization support for MSMEs

2Jiajiri Program Impact and Reach

Since inception, the program has made a significant impact across East Africa, creating a pathway to financial independence for thousands of young people and business owners. Through KCB Bank, the program has successfully disbursed over Ksh. 1.6 Billion as capital to qualified participants.

The program has reached the following milestones: