NAIROBI, Kenya, July 10 — President William Ruto has directed county governments to exempt businesses under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme from paying business permit fees for two years, in a move aimed at lowering operating costs for young entrepreneurs.
The President also ordered the creation of a unique national identification system for NYOTA beneficiaries to simplify access to government services and financing opportunities.
The directives were issued on Friday during the release of the second tranche of funding under the NYOTA programme at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.
Two-Year Business Permit Waiver
Ruto instructed the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC), working with county governments, to immediately develop and implement the licence waiver.
“I therefore direct the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council, working together with the county governments, to develop and implement a two-year business permit waiver for all NYOTA beneficiaries,” the President said.
He argued that government support should extend beyond grants by removing administrative and regulatory hurdles that often slow the growth of start-up enterprises.
“Having seen what these young entrepreneurs have achieved with modest support, the government of Kenya now has a responsibility to remove the barriers that still stand in their way. Success should never be constrained by unnecessary bureaucracy,” he said.
According to the President, new businesses should first be allowed to establish themselves before taking on the full burden of regulatory compliance.
“Young businesses deserve the opportunity to find their feet before they bear the full cost of compliance,” he added.
The proposed waiver is expected to reduce operating expenses for thousands of youth-led enterprises during their formative years.
Government to Issue NYOTA Unique IDs
Beyond the permit waiver, Ruto directed the Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development to establish a national identification mechanism for all NYOTA beneficiaries.
The unique identifier is intended to create a central system that links beneficiaries to government support programmes, incentives and enterprise development services.
“I further direct the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development to establish a national NYOTA identification mechanism so that every beneficiary can seamlessly access government services, incentives, opportunities designed to support enterprise growth,” he said.
The move is expected to streamline access to public services while improving coordination of government programmes targeting youth entrepreneurs.
More Financing Beyond Initial Grants
The President also instructed government-backed financial institutions to establish dedicated financing products tailored specifically for NYOTA beneficiaries after they receive the initial grant.
The institutions named include the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, Uwezo Fund, Women Enterprise Fund and Kenya Industrial Estates, among others.
“I also direct government finance institutions, including the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, the Uwezo Fund, the Women Enterprise Fund, Kenya Industrial Estates and other relevant agencies to establish a dedicated NYOTA growth product. The first grant must never become the last opportunity,” Ruto said.
The initiative is designed to ensure successful businesses can access additional capital to expand operations instead of relying solely on the programme’s startup funding.
Second Tranche of NYOTA Funds
The announcement came as beneficiaries prepared to receive the second tranche of KSh25,000 under the NYOTA programme.
The latest directives add non-financial support measures to the government’s youth empowerment initiative by easing compliance requirements, reducing business costs and expanding access to future financing.
The NYOTA programme is part of the government’s broader strategy to tackle youth unemployment by supporting entrepreneurship, enterprise growth and job creation. With the proposed permit waiver, unique identification system and dedicated financing products, beneficiaries are expected to receive continued support beyond the initial grant phase as they scale their businesses.