Kenya launches online jobs portal to boost employment

Kenya on Thursday launched an online jobs portal under a program that will benefit more than 1 million unemployed youth in the next year.

The program dubbed the Ajira Digital Programme will boost job creation among Kenyans by providing tools, training, and mentorship program needed to enable young people to work and earn income.

"This program is in line with the government's promise of job creation and a response to a globally growing market for online work," said ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru, noting that the program will be promoted through increased uptake of online jobs.

"At the moment, there are over 40,000 Kenyans already engaged in online work, ranking Kenya as the 10th biggest global supplier of online workers, and the 1st in Africa," he said.

"Our target of over 1 million registered online workers will make Kenya the number one global supplier of online workers, and with that, a significant economic development and reduction of unemployment," he said during the opening a two-day workshop for 150 Youth Officers in Nairobi.

The official said with the current extensive development of broadband infrastructure, coordinated training and mentorship provided by the Ajira program, Kenya is poised to be the world's number one supplier of online workers in the next one year.

Mucheru said the government would soon launch constituency innovation hubs across the country fitted with 24-hour internet access to enable the youth to register, download and upload work.

He said the government will facilitate provision of working space, skills and tools to enable the youth access online work. Endit