BrighterMonday Kenya Urges Inclusive Skills Training to Bridge Youth Employment Gap

Nairobi Kenya

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BrighterMonday Kenya’s newly released report paints a vivid picture of Kenya’s labour market at a pivotal moment. The Skills Gap and Gender Analysis Report 2025, developed in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, finds that while Kenya’s youth hold the potential to power the nation’s economic future, they face systemic barriers that limit access to meaningful work. The study highlights that 62.1 percent of employers see a misalignment between the skills graduates possess and the demands of the job market—an indication that traditional training systems are struggling to keep pace with modern economic realities.

According to BrighterMonday Kenya’s Managing Director, Sarah Ndegwa, addressing this gap will require more than just policy talk.

“The Report underscores the urgent need for demand-driven training and inclusive skilling programs that prepare young Kenyans, especially women, persons with disabilities, and non-urban youth, for the future of work,” she said.

The organization plans to deepen collaboration with government agencies and partners to co-design market-aligned curricula, foster TVET–employer partnerships, and expand work-based learning programs.

The report also underscores the centrality of digital and soft skills in Kenya’s job market. ICT and digital competencies were identified as the most in-demand, with 75.9 percent of employers ranking them as critical across all industries. Soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving followed closely, cited by 82.8 percent of employers as essential for workplace success. Yet the growing reliance on digital recruitment platforms such as LinkedIn is widening inequality, as only 25 percent of non-urban youth have access to reliable internet. This digital divide has left millions; especially women, persons with disabilities, and refugees- struggling to compete for online job opportunities in high-growth sectors like ICT, fintech, and construction.

The report further reveals that women and persons with disabilities continue to be underrepresented in emerging industries, while rural youth remain cut off from many opportunities due to regional disparities in connectivity and training infrastructure. Through its Generation Kazi program, BrighterMonday Kenya is actively working to bridge these divides by reskilling and upskilling youth aged 18 to 35, with a special focus on underserved group. Thus 70 percent women, 70 percent non-urban youth, and 10 percent persons with disabilities.

To drive sustainable change, the report calls for aligning training with market realities through employer-led curriculum reforms, expansion of county-level employment programs, and stronger linkages between industry, TVET institutions, and youth-focused organizations. It also advocates for embedding diversity and accessibility into workplace policies and ensuring universal digital access through investment in broadband and affordable devices across all 47 counties.

As automation, artificial intelligence, and digital trade reshape the global employment landscape, Kenya’s competitiveness will depend on how well it equips its youth for this transformation. The findings position BrighterMonday Kenya as a leader in labour market research and policy influence, reaffirming its role through the HR SMART LAB 2 as a convener for collaboration, innovation, and data-driven solutions aimed at building an inclusive, future-ready workforce.

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