TRADE AND INDUSTRIALIZATION/Kwale Youth CIDP Memorandum 2018-2022

Quote from Kwale Youth Council on April 19, 2018, 12:37 pm

Despite several interventions by Kwale County government in the previous 5 years plan to promote business among the youth very minimal results were achieved. The county youth fund program was a total failure and only much was achieved with the trade revolving fund. The Kwale Biashara center initiative is a good one though they were not fully utilized with very few and ineffective programs implemented. We are therefore proposing for serious considerations that will promote youth entrepreneurship. Our specific but broad proposals include:

1.          Establishment of the Kwale Economic Development Corporation with 30% youth share ownership to enable benefit from heavy and capital intensive lucrative investments such as the mining sector and others.
2.               Establishment of strategic ICT hubs and ICT programs to enable Kwale youth to compete effectively with other youth around the globe.
3.               With the help of the Biashara centres, resource centres and polytechnics introduce a free computer training program targeting to benefit at least 10, 000 youth within the period of the 5 years.
4.           The youth business funding program should be revised to accommodate different needs of the youth. Youth entrepreneurs who have potential to expand their businesses should be supported with capital to grow their businesses to support other youth and grow the local economy. First time business starters should be assisted with quality business education, skills and business exchange programs to nurture in them the entrepreneurship attitude and mind set.
5.           There is need to invest in road network, ICT network, Water and set aside land for manufacturing investments to promote industrialization. The next 5 year plan should focus on optimal utilization of fruit sector, bixa products, cashew nut, coconut products and most importantly value addition of mining products.
6.             To promote trade development, there is need to link polytechnic courses with available and potential business opportunities.
7.              We propose for a shift from construction of simple market stalls to establishment of modern business centres or business plazas with Wi-Fi and other business support services.
8.                Unfortunately the last 5 years did not see meaningful youth benefits through the county government procurement system. We are proposing for the introduction of a local youth supplier development program that will address the challenges that youth faced as far as AGPO and even open tenders are concerned.
9.          We are also challenging county government to be more transparent with procurement systems especially with regard to youth tenders. A policy should be developed to compel the procurement department to release quarterly reports on tender youth beneficiaries which should help monitor and evaluate progress of youth economic empowerment achieved.