Microsoft Kenya in partnership with Stanbic Kenya Foundation and the Kenyan Government are gearing up to impart digital skills to 50,000 entrepreneurs in Kenya.
This partnership will see the private sector players address a digital skills gap within the market through digital learning and skilling initiative.
“The digital landscape is transforming rapidly, and Kenya must adapt to the new changes to keep the citizens employable. The Kenya Government believes technology will play a key role in transforming the economy and creating employment. In this regard, we welcome the private sector in supporting the government’s efforts to advance our digital strategy, particularly with regards to Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development. This partnership between the Ministry, Stanbic Bank Kenya and Microsoft will go along in enhancing the government’s investments in the capacity building and adoption of digital technologies which will give the country a competitive advantage.” CS for Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development Betty C. Maina said.
“At Microsoft, equipping citizens with adequate resources and technology so that they are able to upskill and reskill has always been at the centre of our work. Particularly in the current landscape, securing partnerships with likeminded organizations such as Stanbic Bank Foundation and the Ministry makes complete sense if we are to reach and scale for maximum impact and successfully curb the impact of the pandemic. Addressing the growing skills gap within Kenya through both short- and longer-term initiatives such as this will continue ensuring that youth within the region are able to gain employment and address socio-economic issues at a grassroot level,” says Kendi Nderitu, Country Manager at Microsoft in Kenya.
The partnership will target individuals who have lost their jobs from the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 pandemic. Stanbic Bank and Microsoft Kenya will rollout the programme across the various counties in Kenya with support from the ministry, which will see a total of 1000 government employees upskilled and seconded to the program as instructors. The program also expects to place 2,000 youth into employment by the end of this year.
