Unemployment among the youth remains a pressing issue, leading to financial stress, anxiety, and loss of self-worth. While many attribute this problem to a lack of access to funding, the bigger challenge often lies in identifying sustainable investment ideas and exercising financial discipline.
Two contrasting cases highlight these challenges. The first is a young man from a modest background in Kisauni, Mombasa. With no formal employment for six years, his immediate goal was to invest in a boda boda business, requiring an initial capital of Sh180,000. Despite the potential of earning Sh700 daily, the lack of financial discipline posed a threat to the business’s sustainability, as family obligations and personal spending habits could erode profits. A proposed solution was collective financial management among peer riders to ensure business growth.
The second case involves a young woman from a privileged background in Nyali. After three years of unemployment despite holding a university degree in commerce, she sought to upskill through an online course in artificial intelligence and remote work development. The Sh210,000 investment promised high returns, with potential earnings of Sh260,000 per month. However, challenges such as maintaining motivation, avoiding distractions, and ensuring access to stable internet and equipment could hinder success. Structured, synchronous learning was proposed to keep her on track.
These cases reveal common behavioral shortcomings among youth, including impatience, the pursuit of quick gratification, and an attraction to celebrity culture. Many young people struggle with financial discipline, failing to reinvest profits or sustain long-term projects. With an estimated one million youth entering the job market annually among the existing 3.5 million unemployed, a shift in mindset is crucial.
Beyond funding, young people must cultivate patience, discipline, and resilience. Sustainable investment requires thorough planning, accountability, and long-term vision. Financial literacy programs, mentorship, and structured peer-support systems could bridge the gap, empowering youth to turn small grants into meaningful economic opportunities. The future of youth employment depends not just on available resources but on the ability to manage them wisely.
