SME partnership empowering youths

Empowering the youth through small and medium enterprises is finally becoming a reality thanks to the National Youth Development Authority (NYDA).
The memorandum of understanding signed between the authority and Small Medium Enterprise Corporation this week paves way for youth in their self sustaining endeavours.
This is part of NYDA’s walking the talk in translating policies to practical implementation.
Thank you director general Joe Itaki for rising up to the occasion and walking the talk.
The Covid-19 pandemic created significant economic hardships in the country.
Most small and medium enterprises experienced significant losses due to the halting of business operations, supply chains, and household incomes and expenditures.
It greatly affected the micro, small- and medium-sized enterprises sector and bouncing back was a challenge.
The partnership with SMEC will open doors for the youth to access funding and support in SMEs.
It is a further boost for the youth who have already received life skills training in community development centres built around the country.
Skills and “changed mindsets” they gained from the trainings, especially the vital role of soft skills, work readiness skills, adaptability and savings will help the many young men and women in the communities.
Owning and operating businesses are important in empowering youth and supporting the government’s economic independence agenda.
NYDA is committed to achieving this by implementing entrepreneurship programmes that develop and promote work skills.
Itaki believes that having resilience, adaptability and flexible thinking are keys to success.

David Lepi