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The United States government announced a Ksh12 billion funding for the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) programme in Kenya and other parts of Africa.
While speaking at the US – Africa Leaders Summit on Thursday, December 15, Vice President, Kamala Harris revealed that the funding would be spread within the next two years.
In particular, she stated that the funding was aimed at linking various beneficiaries to investors from the US.
US Vice President Kamala Harris speaking at a past event.
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“Through the funding, we will expand networking for alumni and connect them with social impact and business investors.
“And in so doing, we will continue to foster the ingenuity and creativity of young African leaders,” she stated
Further, she underlined that many Kenyans had benefitted from the programme acknowledging the various innovations that had revolutionised various sectors in the world.
“From the tech hubs of Cairo and Nairobi to the incubators of Accra and Cape Town, African innovation benefits the entire world.
“Think of the Kenyan innovators who created a local mobile payment system that transformed global payment systems,” the VP cited.
Additionally, she divulged that the Joe Biden administration would launch a new programme aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs.
Kamala explained that the African Women’s Trade and Investment Initiative would help women across Africa participate in e-commerce, and access financing and export markets.
YALI programme was initiated by former US President Barrack Obama and was aimed at empowering young professionals aged between 18 -35 years.
Through the programme, participants are trained in Business and Entrepreneurship, Civic Leadership and Public Management courses.
Graduands attend a graduation ceremony organised by a Kenyan University.
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