Are There Opportunities For Kenyan Youth To Make Money Online?

The world has changed. How people related at the moment is not how they used to a few months back. Thanks to Covid-19, people around the world have realized the power of the internet is not only connecting people but helping millions make a living.

Kenya is among the fast-developing nations in Africa. With the development and the increase in population, comes the challenge of satisfying the population in terms of job creation. Among the unemployed in Kenya, the youth take the lion’s share.

Each year, institutions of higher learning in Kenya (universities and colleges) emit graduates into the already saturated job market. Most young people are desperate for white-collar jobs which are hard to come by.

The youths used to bank on the SME sector. Indeed the SME sector has helped millions of people in Kenya. The sector employs 86 percent of the population and contributes about 45.5 percent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

But the SME sector is the way it used to be. Businesses are shutting down with each passing day. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), at least 450,000 businesses are shutting down in Kenya annually, 30,000 monthly, and 1,000 daily.

The coming of Covid-19 has made matters worse. Businesses are shutting down and millions of people have already lost their jobs. The hospitality industry is among the most affected sectors with thousands of businesses shut.

As the country prepares to mark the International Youth Day on August 12, 2020, where can the young people get jobs in Kenya? Are there opportunities online? What are some of the opportunities that the internet brings?

According to the State Department for Youth, there are amazing opportunities online that the Kenyan youth can take advantage of and make a living for themselves.

Online writing is one such opportunity that young people in Kenya can use to make money. According to the Ministry of IT, there are over 40,000 young people in Kenya who depend on online writing to make money.

Starting online Shops. The current fad when it comes to course selection is IT. “All Kenyans are encouraged to acquire digital skills, but what do we do with them? They are useless if they are not utilized well,” says Caroline.

You can take advantage of this knowledge and start an online shop where you will be able to sell anything. It can be simple electronics like earphones, clothes, shoes, or handbags.

To improve your chances, join a page that serves as a marketplace and advertise your products aggressively.

According to a study done by InfoAge Concern in 2016, 70 percent of the youth in Kenya spend most of their time online. That, in essence, will be a ready market for you. All you need to do is find a desirable product that solves a problem.

So many youths are currently doing social media influencing. This needs one to have a good following on social media and have a voice or command authority about an issue. Brands are increasingly looking for people who can tell their stories online.

What are some of the opportunities available online? Share with us your story as we celebrate the Kenya National Youth Week.