Kiambu: TECHz – News Desk
Kenya’s youth are receiving a significant boost in employability and digital literacy as Safaricom expands its skills development program. The telco’s youth empowerment platform, Safaricom Hook Circle, recently hosted a two-day career and skills development initiative at Kiambu National Polytechnic, bringing the total number of young Kenyans impacted by the program to over one million.
Launched in 2023, Safaricom Hook is designed to empower Gen Z by bridging the gap between classroom learning and the fast-evolving digital economy. The recent activation in Kiambu targeted students from the ICT and Automotive Engineering departments. The program provided hands-on training, mentorship, and technology demonstrations, alongside masterclasses in data privacy, fraud prevention, and financial literacy.
To deliver these insights, Safaricom collaborated with key industry partners to expose students to emerging career pathways. Partners included the Power Learn Project (PLP) focusing on market-ready software development skills, DigiFarm providing digital agricultural innovation, and various industry experts focusing on employability and entrepreneurship. Fawzia Ali Kimanthi, Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom, emphasized that bringing industry experts directly to learning institutions helps students understand their options and the practical skills required to thrive, whether through formal employment or entrepreneurship.
Since its inception, Safaricom Hook Circle has successfully reached young people across Nairobi, Mombasa, Meru, Kakamega, Siaya, and Nyeri counties, with plans to expand across all 47 counties in Kenya. The platform operates on three foundational pillars designed to nurture youth aspirations: technology to equip youth with digital skills and certifications, career support providing mentorship and real-world gig economy training, and culture to support passion points like sports, fashion, and digital content creation.
