WHAT IS SCALE?
Scale aims to support a re-energized approach to youth entrepreneurship and employment across East Africa. Surveys on East African youth perceptions commissioned by the Aga Khan University’s East Africa Institute (EAI) reveal that unemployment is the single most pressing concern facing youth in the region. This research also demonstrates that youth are overwhelmingly entrepreneurial, aspiring to start their own businesses rather than pursue careers in law, teaching, medicine or engineering.
Through a series of national forums and a regional summit, the Scale program will provide a better understanding of the realities of operating a business in East Africa. This approach creates a community of practice where young people are engaged and supported in their mission to grow sustainable enterprises that generate meaningful social impact.
WHAT IS THE CIVIL SOCIETY INITIATIVE?
Implemented jointly by the Aga Khan University (AKU) and the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), the Civil Society Initiative (CSI) serves as the meeting point for the civil society efforts of the Aga Khan Development Network in East Africa. CSI’s key function is to facilitate collaboration, skills building and knowledge creation and sharing that addresses civil society needs across East Africa. Scale is CSI’s flagship program, aiming to support a re-energized approach to youth entrepreneurship and employment in the region. The program seeks to nurture a community of practice, including public and private sector, youth entrepreneurs, capacity building organizations and related stakeholders to provide access to information, training, tools and resources supporting learning and business growth.
NATIONAL SCALE FORUM – KENYA:
Kenya is a youthful country, with the median age estimated at 19 years. Kenya is also East Africa’s biggest economy but holds the burden of being the country with the largest number of unemployed youth in the region. Unemployment among Kenya’s youth is now estimated at 17.3% – three times that of neighbouring Uganda and Tanzania. Unemployment is also the most significant concern of youth in Kenya, with 63% urging action by the government. Additionally, 11% of youth want government to address issues with access to capital.
According to EAI’s Kenya youth survey, about 48% of youth would like to start a business, compared to 26% who preferred to pursue careers in engineering, law, medicine and teaching. Entrepreneurship within the informal sector absorbs most of the urban and rural unskilled youth. The major reason for youth to start a business in Kenya, at 86%, is that there are no other alternatives to earning an income. Even so, 46% of businesses close within one year of opening; the major reason for this is shortage of operational funds.
The Scale Kenya forum will encourage dialogue supporting effective financial inclusion, as well as the role of public and private sector in supporting young entrepreneurs, in both the formal and informal sector, by featuring the stories of successful local youth entrepreneurs, plenary and panel sessions, exhibitions and networking and training opportunities.
The Scale Kenya forum will feature:
- The stories of five local young social entrepreneurs.
- Interactive discussions addressing the opportunities and barriers to economic inclusion in Kenya’s entrepreneurial market, including policy responses and the roles of public and private sector in supporting the enabling environment for Kenyan entrepreneurs.
- Exhibitors and networking with stakeholders supporting youth entrepreneurship in Kenya.
- Training sessions and a pitch competition, featuring ten young Kenyan entrepreneurs from across the country and prizes from our supporters:
Follow the conversation on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag: #ScaleTalksKE
AGENDA:
February 22nd, 2018
8:00-9:00: Registration & Networking Breakfast
- Scale Emcee: Terryanne Chebet
9:00-9:15: Welcome Remarks
- Dr. Alex Awiti, Director, East Africa Institute
9:15-9:35: Morning Keynote Address
- Entrepreneurship in Kenya – The Realities: Gacheri Maingi, Managing Director, Tri.b
9:35-9:45: Introduction to Scale Talks
- Safia Abji, Start-Up Advisor, Aga Khan Foundation East Africa
9:45-10:30: Youth Entrepreneur Stories
- Justine Abuga, Founder, Ecobora
- Maliha Mohamed Ali, Manager, Kitendetini Bahari Hotel
- Wilson Kageni, CEO, Finplus Group
10:30-11:00: Networking Tea Break
11:00-11:30: Youth Entrepreneur Stories
- Caren Wakoli, Founder, Emerging Leaders Foundation
- To be Confirmed
11:30-12:00: Speaker Q&A
12:00-13:00: Networking Lunch & Exhibition
13:00-13:50: Interactive Panel Discussion (Hosted by the Transformational Business Network)
- Carole Kariuki, CEO, KEPSA
- To be Confirmed
- Moderator: To be Confirmed
13:50-14:20: Panel Q&A
14:20-14:40: Afternoon Keynote Address
- Entrepreneurship in Kenya – The Way Forward: Brian Bosire, Founder, HydroIQ
14:40-14:50: Closing Remarks
14:50-17:00: Breakout Sessions: Scaling Your Business
- Track 1: Growing Your Business with Social Media with Naheed Hirji, Facebook
- Track 2: Leadership Foundations with Francis Wamwangi, YALI
- Track 3: Perfecting Your Pitch with Stephen Buckley, GSMC
- Track 4: Youth and Sustainable Business Practices with Richard Ndiga, Serena Hotels
- Track 5: Pitch Competition with judges from TBN, Intellecap, Village Capital and Acumen
17:00-19:00: Evening Reception (Co-sponsored by iHub)
Can’t make it to Nairobi? Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag: #ScaleTalksKE
Register HERE!
