Nairobi: The British High Commission Nairobi, in collaboration with partners such as the African Centre for Women, Information and Communications Technology (ACWICT) and the County Governments of Elgeyo Marakwet, Busia, and Siaya, has celebrated significant achievements of the UK Digital Access Programme’s Inclusive Digital Futures Project (UKDAP-IDF). The project has been instrumental in equipping young individuals with relevant digital skills for the market.
According to Kenya News Agency, the close-out ceremony took place in Eldoret, marking nearly a year since the project’s implementation in the region. John Manyolo, the British High Commission Representative and Western Region Advisor, emphasized the project’s collaboration with partners to support youth with market-relevant digital skills, facilitating pathways into digitally enabled work.
The UKDAP-IDF project has focused on critical areas for enhancing livelihoods and boosting local economies, including digital entrepreneurship, online work, creative opportunities, AI literacy, climate-smart agriculture, and IT and device repair. “These are not abstract skills; they are tools for income, enterprise, dignity, and resilience,” Manyolo stated, expressing gratitude to the county governments of Busia, Siaya, and Elgeyo Marakwet for their collaboration and leadership.
Manyolo highlighted the importance of county ownership in transitioning digital inclusion from a pilot activity to a lasting impact. He commended ACWICT and other partners for their work in mobilization, training, and community engagement. Implemented from November 2025 to June 2026, IDF builds on proven models to advance inclusion further. The initiative equips rural youth with digital skills, entrepreneurship training, AI literacy, and climate-smart technologies, enabling them to seize opportunities in digital agriculture, the creative economy, gig work, and IT services.
The project aims to increase digital employment and entrepreneurship among young people, particularly women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), in Busia, Siaya, and Elgeyo Marakwet. It seeks to reduce youth engagement in harmful coping mechanisms by June 2026. Elgeyo Marakwet County Governor, Wesley Rotich, praised the project for empowering young people with digital skills that enhance employability and urged for its extension to benefit more youth, women, and PWDs.
Siaya Governor, James Orengo, lauded the successful conclusion of the project, emphasizing the transformative potential of science and technology in economies worldwide. He noted that Siaya County has embraced this transformation, with the partnership mobilizing over 700 youth, training 494 graduates, and achieving 50.2% female participation. The project built capacity across four specialized digital pathways and introduced AI learning through dedicated tracks.
Statistics from UKDAP highlight persistent digital exclusion in rural Kenyan counties, with youth unemployment in Busia, Siaya, and Elgeyo Marakwet ranging from 18-25 percent and compounded by high poverty levels. The IDF project addresses these barriers by building on the impact of earlier UKDAP-supported initiatives, such as the Digitally Enabled Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (DEGESI) and the Digital Services in Agriculture (DSA) projects.
ACWICT CEO Constantine Obuya emphasized the need for comprehensive digital access, focusing on digital skills, affordable internet, and enhanced stakeholder engagement with the private sector. She urged county governments to leverage national infrastructure programs to improve internet connectivity and access.
