Busia County has launched an ambitious digital skills programme aimed at transforming youth and marginalized community members into digital entrepreneurs and positioning the county as a regional digital hub.
The programme, dubbed Inclusive Digital Futures (IDF), is a United Kingdom–funded Government Digital Access project (UKDAP) being implemented in partnership with the British High Commission, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, and the Busia County Government.
Under the initiative, 1,200 Community Digital Champions (CDCs) have been onboarded and will undergo intensive training with the goal of creating at least 900 digital businesses.
The project is being implemented by the African Centre for Women, Information Communications Technology (ACWICT), working with a local partner, Akukuranut Development Trust (ADT).
The selected CDCs are drawn from 4,000 Busia residents who completed basic digital literacy training between June 2024 and early 2025 under the Strengthening Digital Communities (SDC) Project implemented by Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), ensuring that beneficiaries already have foundational digital skills.
Participants will first be trained in Artificial Intelligence (AI) before advancing to self-paced, AI-powered intermediate training in four specialised tracks, supported by the Otermans Institute (OI) UK, through Otermans Institute AI (OIAI).
From these tracks, the trainees will define digital jobs and business ideas through which they can earn sustainable incomes.
The four training tracks include the Creative Economy, Gig Economy, Digital Agriculture, and Information Technology (IT) Technician Skills.
Speaking during the launch, Busia Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma said digital skills are no longer optional but a critical pathway to employment and wealth creation.
“Digital skills are no longer a luxury. They are an opportunity for our young people to earn a living,” said Dr. Otuoma.
“Job creation trends show that technology-driven companies are leading in new employment opportunities,” he added.
The governor urged young people to move beyond using digital platforms purely for social interaction and instead tap into the vast economic opportunities available online.
“We want to assure you of full support from the county government as we work to position Busia as a digital hub,” he noted.
The Country Lead and Advisor for the UK Government Digital Access Program in Kenya, Charles Wesonga Juma, challenged Busia residents to take full advantage of the project to transform their lives.
He noted that the programme is guided by affirmative action, with 70 per cent of beneficiaries drawn from persons with disabilities, women, and youth, while the remaining 30 per cent covers other underserved groups.
“Our role is to enhance access for those who are digitally excluded, including persons with disabilities, women, young people, and senior citizens,” he explained.
Juma observed that although the UK Digital Access Program has been operational in Kenya since 2019, participation from Western Kenya has traditionally been low when initiatives are rolled out at the national level.
“This programme coming to the county level gives residents a direct opportunity to benefit, and we encourage them to seize it,” he said.
ACWICT Executive Director Constantine Obuya said the IDF project is designed to empower rural communities with practical digital skills that translate directly into entrepreneurship and economic growth.
“Beyond training, we are focusing on mentorship and continuous support to ensure that at least 900 viable digital businesses are created across the four training areas,” Obuya said.
She added that the programme envisions increased household incomes and the emergence of sustainable digital enterprises within rural economies by the end of the project.
“Our goal is to see real businesses operating, incomes increasing, and communities benefiting from the digital economy,” she said.
By Rodgers Omondi and Moses Wekesa
