Kisumu: The government has approved a new Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) policy aimed at unlocking digital employment opportunities for hundreds of thousands of young Kenyans who miss out on formal jobs every year. Labour and Skills Development Principal Secretary (PS) Shadrack Mwadime said the policy, which was recently approved by Cabinet, will provide a framework for protecting workers in the digital economy while positioning Kenya as a major player in the global outsourcing market.
According to Kenya News Agency, the PS emphasized the country’s growing employment challenge during the launch of a digital learning and foreign languages programme at Great Lakes University of Kisumu, highlighting that nearly 700,000 young people are left without formal jobs annually. “Every year we produce close to one million graduates and school leavers, but our economy is only able to absorb about 300,000 into formal employment. The rest must be supported through alternative opportunities, including digital jobs and entrepreneurship,” Mwadime stated.
The government is increasingly focusing on digital employment as a practical solution to youth unemployment, with instances of young Kenyans earning substantial incomes through online work. Mwadime shared that one young Kenyan recently earned Sh. 400,000 from a single digital assignment, showcasing the sector’s potential to generate wealth and employment. “Many people do not understand what digital jobs can do. Some young people work at night because they are serving clients in different time zones across the world. These opportunities are real and can transform lives,” he noted.
The BPO policy aims to safeguard the interests of Kenyans working online and create a conducive environment for sector growth. This announcement comes as the government intensifies efforts to address unemployment among the country’s youthful population. Mwadime highlighted that Kenya’s average age is about 18 years, with roughly 70 per cent of the population aged below 35.
While promoting overseas employment through the Kazi Majuu programme, Mwadime emphasized that digital work offers young people the chance to earn globally while remaining in the country. The government has already secured employment opportunities for more than 560,000 Kenyans abroad over the last three years and is expanding labour agreements with countries in Europe and North America.
The State Department for Labour is collaborating with universities and training institutions to align academic programmes with labour market demands. Employers frequently express concerns about graduates lacking workplace-ready skills despite spending years in training institutions. “We want educational institutions to become recruitment centres where students transition directly into employment. Universities must train for the market that exists today and the opportunities that are emerging globally,” Mwadime explained.
The launch at Great Lakes University of Kisumu featured a digital classroom ecosystem supported by Samsung and other partners, alongside foreign language training programmes targeting opportunities in Germany, Canada, the Gulf region, and other international labour markets. Mwadime highlighted the increasing importance of language proficiency as Kenya positions its workforce for global competitiveness. “German, Arabic, Mandarin, Korean, and Spanish are no longer just languages. They are economic pathways that open doors to jobs, business opportunities, and labour mobility,” he said.
Great Lakes University Vice Chancellor Professor Hazel Miseda Mumbo described the initiative as a significant step towards leveraging technology to tackle unemployment. “We have already seen people living in Kenya and working for organisations abroad. Technology and digital skills are creating opportunities that were previously unavailable to many young people,” she remarked. The university plans to expand digital learning and foreign language programmes as part of efforts to prepare graduates for both local and international labour markets.
