The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has clarified that the final selection for the NYOTA programme will strictly depend on candidates’ performance in entrepreneurial aptitude tests, not on their access to or participation in the Hustler Fund.
Principal Secretary for MSMEs, Susan Mang’eni, made the clarification while addressing growing public misconceptions that the NYOTA initiative was tied to the Hustler Fund.
She emphasized that while both are government-backed empowerment programmes, they serve different objectives and follow separate processes.
“NYOTA’s final selection will depend on how you perform on entrepreneurial aptitude tests. Hustler Fund is not tied to this,” Mang’eni said, reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to fairness and meritocracy in youth and SME empowerment.
The NYOTA programme part of the government’s agenda to nurture entrepreneurship and job creation among the youth seeks to identify, train, and support innovative business minds across Kenya.
Through a structured selection process, applicants undergo aptitude assessments to gauge their entrepreneurial potential, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and readiness to manage sustainable enterprises.
Mang’eni noted that the tests are designed to ensure only individuals with strong business acumen and growth potential benefit from the programme’s training and funding opportunities.
“We are looking for entrepreneurs who can transform ideas into viable businesses. The tests are a tool to ensure that the most deserving candidates are selected,” she said.
The Principal Secretary also called on applicants to prepare adequately and take the assessments seriously, stating that NYOTA is envisioned to become a cornerstone in Kenya’s effort to reduce youth unemployment through entrepreneurship.
Meanwhile, Mang’eni reiterated that the Hustler Fund remains open to all Kenyans, serving as an accessible financial tool for individuals and small business owners seeking affordable credit.
However, she clarified that one’s use or non-use of the Hustler Fund will not influence their eligibility or performance evaluation in the NYOTA selection process.
Government officials continue to encourage young people to apply for NYOTA, describing it as a transformative platform aimed at equipping participants with practical skills, mentorship, and access to capital that can help them scale their ventures sustainably.
Leave feedback about this