Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) have emerged as the central pillar of Kenya’s digital economy transformation as Kenya accelerates efforts to create employment for youth and women under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Across the country, government and development partners are increasingly positioning TVETs and VTCs not only as skills training institutions but also as production hubs for digital labour, equipping learners with competencies for freelancing, remote work, and online entrepreneurship.
This shift is already taking shape in counties such as Taita Taveta, where the county government and Stanbic Foundation have rolled out a Digital Freelancing Skills and Administrative Support Programme across Mraru, Voi, Mwanjila, and Taveta VTCs.
Launched in 2024, the programme is training youth and women in digital marketing, virtual assistance, online business management and administrative support skills, enabling them to access income opportunities in the global digital economy.
Speaking during a field visit to assess the programme’s impact, Stanbic Foundation Head, Mercy Githanji, said TVETs and VTCs are the most strategic entry point for scaling digital skills because they reach learners at the grassroots level and provide practical, competency-based training.
She said the foundation is working with county governments and training institutions to deepen digital skills development and expand access to online job markets.
“We are focused on building practical pathways for young people through institutions that are already embedded in communities. TVETs and VTCs are central to unlocking this potential,” she said.
The delegation also held discussions with Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime, where they explored ways of strengthening collaboration to reduce unemployment, enhance digital literacy, and expand economic opportunities for youth and women.
Mwadime said TVETs and VTCs are now playing a transformative role in bridging the skills gap and connecting young people to income-generating opportunities beyond traditional employment.
He said the county government was integrating digital skills training into vocational institutions to ensure graduates are competitive in both local and global labour markets.
“The future of employment is changing, and our TVETs and VTCs must remain at the centre of this transformation. They are no longer just training centres but engines of economic empowerment,” he said.
He further called for the expansion of digital skills programmes into agriculture and enterprise development to support farmers in accessing wider markets through digital platforms.
The programme has already begun producing tangible results, with beneficiaries reporting improved livelihoods and diversified income streams.
Chrispus Msafari from Mwanjila VTC said training in digital marketing enabled him to grow his pig-farming business while also earning additional income through online freelance writing.
He said he now sells up to 30 kilograms of pork weekly while simultaneously engaging in digital work, improving his household income.
Another beneficiary, Whitney Wanjala, a former hawker trained at Mraru VTC, said she successfully launched an online business and tripled her capital within four months by leveraging digital platforms to reach broader markets.
VTC managers say the programme has also contributed to increased enrolment in vocational institutions, as more young people recognise the value of digital and entrepreneurial skills in securing sustainable livelihoods.
Mraru VTC Manager Bernard Odhiambo noted that the programme initially trained instructors, who then cascaded the skills to trainees, ensuring sustainability and wider institutional uptake.
He added that partners also provided laptops and digital learning resources to support training and online work readiness.
At the national level, Kenya’s digital economy continues to expand, supported by rising internet connectivity and government investment in digital infrastructure.
According to the Communications Authority of Kenya, mobile broadband accounts for more than 90 per cent of internet subscriptions, underscoring the country’s mobile-first digital ecosystem.
Internet usage is expansive, with 23.4 million active users supported by 83.5 per cent smartphone penetration, placing Kenya among the most connected countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Despite this progress, youth unemployment remains a major structural challenge.
Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that young people make up the largest share of unemployed persons, driven by skills mismatches and limited formal job creation.
Women, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas, continue to face barriers including limited access to capital, markets, and digital skills training.
To address these challenges, the government has prioritised digital job creation under BETA, alongside flagship initiatives such as the Ajira Digital Programme, which has trained hundreds of thousands of youth since its launch in 2016 to access freelance and remote work opportunities.
The Digital Superhighway programme is also expanding fibre connectivity, digital hubs, and ICT infrastructure across the country to support inclusive participation in the digital economy.
County and national governments agree that the alignment between BETA, TVET reforms, and public-private partnerships is positioning TVETs and VTCs as the backbone of Kenya’s digital employment strategy.
As demonstrated in Taita Taveta, these institutions are increasingly becoming the central gateway through which youth and women transition from skills acquisition to income generation in the digital economy.
By Arnold Linga Masila
