Generation Kenya
Generation Kenya is a nonprofit workforce development organization that prepares, places, and supports young Kenyans into entry-level careers through free, employer-designed 6-9 week training programs. It serves unemployed youth while supplying screened talent to 350+ employer partners across Kenya.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersNairobi, Kenya
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Generation Kenya does
Generation Kenya is a Nairobi-based nonprofit workforce development organization, founded in 2015 and operating as the Kenya country office of Generation: You Employed, Inc. (a Washington, D.C.-registered 501(c)(3)). The organization runs 6-9 week hybrid training programs across multiple vocational verticals including Digital Customer Service, Sewing Machine Operations, Financial Sales, Retail/Restaurant Customer Service, Consumer Goods Sales, Distributed Sales, and Digital Freelancing. Its core curriculum combines technical skills with behavioral modules (growth mindset, persistence, personal responsibility, customer focus) delivered through a proprietary 7-step methodology spanning assessment, foundation skills, technical training, behavioral skills, placement, and alumni support. Curricula for Sewing Machine Operations and Distributed Sales are accredited by NITA and TVET CDACC respectively.
The business model is funded approximately half by philanthropic foundations (Challenge Fund for Youth Employment, Coca-Cola Foundation, GitLab Foundation, IDH Sustainable Trade Initiative, Imaginable Futures, Stanbic Kenya Foundation, UMSIZI Fund, USAID, Sida) and half by employer and government donors. Training is free for learners. Employers receive a 1-year free placement period, after which outcome-based fees and in-kind arrangements are negotiated. Distribution operates through a B2B2C model with direct employer partnerships (350+ employers including Teleperformance, Prudential, Old Mutual, Subway, Gilchery Kenya, Ashton Apparel, Mega EPZ, Jumia, Techno-Brain, Medium Apollo) and formal county government agreements spanning Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa, Kisumu, Meru, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Taita Taveta, and Makueni.
Generation Kenya has placed 38,200+ graduates since 2015, with 80% placed within three months and 89% within six months of program completion. Alumni have earned over $1 billion in cumulative wages across Generation's markets. The organization has begun layering alumni upskilling products (Coursera licenses, Project Management scholarships, MD Leadership Program) and producing research outputs (Mentorship Impact Study with CFYE) to extend its value proposition beyond initial job placement.
Generation Kenya firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Generation Kenya
- Legal name
- Generation: You Employed, Inc.
- Website
- https://kenya.generation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Generation Kenya is a nonprofit workforce development organization that prepares, places, and supports young Kenyans into entry-level careers through free, employer-designed 6-9 week training programs. It serves unemployed youth while supplying screened talent to 350+ employer partners across Kenya.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Generation Kenya industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Workforce Development and Vocational Training Services
- NAICS
- Educational Services (61), Educational Support Services (611710), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD), Growth Mindset, Motivation & Goal-Setting Programs (EDAMAIAE), Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)
Keywords
Where Generation Kenya is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nairobi
- HQ country
- Kenya
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices10 records
Markets served
Generation Kenya business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Philanthropic/Funder Support: Approximately half of funding comes from philanthropic foundations and donors including Challenge Fund for Youth Employment, Coca-Cola Foundation, GitLab Foundation, IDH Sustainable Trade Initiative, Imaginable Futures, Stanbic Kenya Foundation, UMSIZI Fund, and USAID. No fees charged to learners for training programs.
- Employer and Government Partnerships: Approximately half of funding comes from employer and government donors. Employers may provide in-kind support including training spaces, equipment, or contribute financially per graduate hired. A 1-year free hiring period is offered, followed by flexible fee discussions based on cost-per-hire metrics.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free training for unemployed and underemployed youth |
| Outcome Based/ Performance | Multi-year contract | Employer hiring fee structure (post 1-year free period) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Generation Kenya product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Generation Kenya provides free, intensive bootcamp-style skills training and job placement programs to unemployed and underemployed Kenyan youth aged 22-35. The organization runs 6-9 week hybrid programs across multiple sectors including Digital Customer Service, Financial Sales, Sewing Machine Operation, Retail Customer Service, Distributed Sales, and Digital Freelancing, pairing technical instruction with behavioral skills training. Graduates are placed with over 350 employer partners, with post-hire mentorship and ongoing alumni upskilling support.
Product overview
Generation Kenya is a workforce development nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of employment programs designed to prepare, place, and support young Kenyans into life-changing careers. The core offering consists of vocational training programs across multiple sectors including Digital Customer Service, Financial Sales, Retail/Restaurant Customer Service, Consumer Goods Sales, Sewing Machine Operation, Distributed Sales, Digital Freelancing, and Leadership Development. Programs typically run 6-9 weeks in hybrid format and include employer partnerships for guaranteed job placement. Supplementary offerings include alumni upskilling through Coursera partnerships and project management scholarships via the Centre for Project Innovation. The organization also conducts research including the Mentorship Impact Study to strengthen workforce development outcomes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Digital Customer Service Program A 6-week hybrid training program preparing learners aged 22-35 to become Digital Customer Service Agents, teaching technical skills (customer service, sales, content moderation, collections, typing skills, digital tools) and behavioral skills (growth mindset, persistence, personal responsibility, customer focus). Employer partnerships provide guaranteed job interviews within 90 days.
- Financial Sales Program Employment program training individuals for financial services sales roles including insurance and investment product sales, with emphasis on practical sales skills and entrepreneurial mindset. Graduates are placed with employer partners including Prudential Life Insurance and Old Mutual.
- Retail & Restaurant Customer Service Program Training program preparing learners for customer service roles in retail and restaurant sectors, focusing on interpersonal skills, problem-solving, and service excellence. Graduates placed with employers such as Subway/Liberty Eagle Kenya.
- Consumer Goods Sales Program Employment program training individuals for sales positions in the consumer goods sector, teaching product knowledge, negotiation skills, and customer relationship management.
- Sewing Machine Operator Program Technical skills training program for sewing machine operation in the textile and apparel sector. Curriculum accredited by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), preparing learners for employment in garment manufacturing and textile production.
- Distributed Sales Program Sales training program accredited by TVET CDACC (Technical and Vocational Education and Training Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council), preparing learners for financial sales service roles.
- Digital Freelance Program Training program delivered at government digital hubs (including Shabaab Digital Center in Nakuru County) to develop digital skills for freelance work, enabling youth to earn income through online platforms.
- MD Leadership Program One-year upskilling initiative developed in partnership with Treasure Communications Limited to develop 100 youth leaders and senior executives in the marketing and communications sector with leadership techniques and strategic management tools.
- Coursera Alumni Upskilling Program Partnership with Coursera's Social Impact Program providing 1,000 one-year licenses to Generation Kenya alumni for continuous professional development in digital marketing, data analysis, project management, cybersecurity, AI, customer experience, and entrepreneurship.
- Centre for Project Innovation Scholarship Program Fully funded scholarship program providing project management certification through the OPEN online platform. First cohort of 50 alumni learning project initiation, planning, delivery, and close methodologies.
Quantifiable outcome
- 38,200+ graduates placed since 2015
- +9 more outcomes
Companies that use Generation Kenya
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Generation Kenya technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Generation Kenya partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Center for Project InnovationcoreStrategic collaboration with United States-based Center for Project Management to offer fully-funded project management scholarships. First cohort of 50 alumni receiving globally certified project officer training through the OPEN platform.
- TeleperformancecoreTeleperformance has supported Generation Kenya's mentorship programme since 2022, contributing more than 318 employee mentors who guide young professionals transitioning into employment. COO provided strategic perspective on mentorship as leadership development.
- CourseracorePartnership through Coursera's Social Impact Program awarding 1,000 licenses (one year of access) for Generation Kenya alumni to access Coursera's global learning platform covering digital marketing, data analysis, project management, cybersecurity, AI, and entrepreneurship courses.
- Treasure Communications LimitedminorPartnership to launch MD Leadership Program - a one-year initiative to upskill 100 youth leaders and senior executives in marketing and communications sector with leadership techniques and strategic management tools.
- Ashton Apparel EPZminorTextile and apparel employer partner validating mentorship study findings. Emphasizes mentorship strengthens employee retention, workplace efficiency, onboarding acceleration, and career progression.
- Mega EPZminorTextile and apparel employer partner validating mentorship impact study. Calls for institutionalizing mentorship as structured workplace practice rather than informal activity.
- Techno-BrainminorTechnology employer partner for Digital Customer Service program, providing job placement opportunities for graduates.
- JumiaminorE-commerce employer partner for Digital Customer Service program, providing employment opportunities for graduates.
- Medium ApollominorEmployer partner for Digital Customer Service program.
- Nakuru County GovernmentcoreFormal partnership agreement. Dedicated Shabaab Digital Center fully to Generation's Digital Freelance Program with computers and utilities. County mobilized youth and contributed to County Integrated Development Plan.
- Mombasa County GovernmentcoreFormal partnership agreement for program delivery through TVETs and digital hubs.
- Kisumu County GovernmentcoreFormal partnership agreement for program delivery.
- Meru County GovernmentcoreFormal partnership agreement for program delivery through TVETs.
- Nyandarua County GovernmentcoreFormal partnership agreement for program delivery.
- Nyeri County GovernmentcoreFormal partnership agreement for program delivery.
- Taita Taveta County GovernmentcoreFormal partnership agreement for program delivery.
- Makueni County GovernmentcoreFormal partnership agreement for program delivery. Generation contributed to County Integrated Development Plan.
- Nairobi County GovernmentcoreFormal partnership agreement for program delivery. Generation contributed to County Integrated Development Plan.
- National Industrial Training Authority (NITA)coreGovernment body that accredited Generation's Sewing Machine Operators Curriculum.
- TVET CDACCcoreTechnical and Vocational Education and Training Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council accredited Generation's Distributed Sales and Financial Sales Service Program.
- Ministry of Labour and Social ProtectioncoreWork-based learning programs implemented in collaboration with Ministry's State Department for Labour and Skills Development.
Scale indicators16 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Generation Kenya competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator: South Africa-based nonprofit solving youth unemployment through employer-aligned skills training and job placement, with a similar B2B2C model linking learners, employers, and government. Direct functional peer to Generation Kenya, differentiated primarily by South African market focus.
- Samaschool (formerly Samasource): Nonprofit providing digital skills training and job placement for underserved youth in East Africa, with employer partnerships in BPO and digital work. Comparable target population, geographic focus (Kenya presence), and outcome-based training methodology.
- African Management Institute (AMI): Pan-African provider of practical management and entrepreneurship training with employer and corporate partnerships across East Africa. Comparable in employer-led curriculum design, African youth/small-business target market, and outcome-driven program structure.
- Moringa School: Nairobi-based tech training provider offering employer-aligned bootcamps in software development and digital skills with strong placement support. Comparable in market (Kenya), target audience (unemployed/underemployed youth), and placement-focused model, though narrower in sector scope (tech only vs. Generation's multi-sector portfolio).
- Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT): International nonprofit delivering youth-led digital skills and entrepreneurship training with strong employer and government linkages across Africa and the Middle East. Directly comparable in mission, youth employment focus, and partnership-driven delivery model.
Emerging players
- Andela: African-founded training and talent marketplace that has pivoted toward AI training and skilled technical talent placement. Comparable in African workforce development, employer-led model, and outcome orientation, though targeting higher-skilled roles than Generation Kenya's entry-level programs.
- ALX Africa: Andela-affiliated training program operating across Africa offering tech and digital skills bootcamps with employer placement. Comparable in youth workforce development and African geographic focus, though more concentrated in software/digital roles than Generation Kenya's multi-sector approach.
Regional players
- Youth Employment Service (YES): South African public-private partnership placing unemployed youth into work experience and employment. Comparable mission and employer-mediated placement model, but operates only in South Africa and serves as a regional reference point for African youth employment models.
Others
- Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions: Umbrella body for Kenya's private TVET providers, representing the institutional competitive set that Generation Kenya engages with through NITA/TVET CDACC accreditation. Indirectly comparable as the broader ecosystem of formal vocational training providers that Generation partners with and competes against for employer demand.
Broad incumbents
- Generation (Global): Parent global network operating the same employer-led training and placement model across 17 countries. Generation Kenya is the Kenya country affiliate, sharing methodology, brand, and funder relationships — directly comparable operating model, program design, and outcome metrics.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights8 records
Customer concentration
Generation Kenya social profiles
Digital presenceGeneration Kenya financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Generation Kenya leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Generation Kenya funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Generation Kenya M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Generation Kenya
What does Generation Kenya do?
Generation Kenya provides free, intensive bootcamp-style skills training and job placement programs to unemployed and underemployed Kenyan youth aged 22-35. The organization runs 6-9 week hybrid programs across multiple sectors including Digital Customer Service, Financial Sales, Sewing Machine Operation, Retail Customer Service, Distributed Sales, and Digital Freelancing, pairing technical instruction with behavioral skills training. Graduates are placed with over 350 employer partners, with post-hire mentorship and ongoing alumni upskilling support.
Is Generation Kenya a public or private company?
Generation Kenya is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Generation Kenya founded?
Generation Kenya was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Generation Kenya based?
Generation Kenya is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, in the Africa region.
How does Generation Kenya make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Philanthropic/Funder Support is the primary driver. The others are employer and Government Partnerships.
Who are Generation Kenya's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, Samaschool (formerly Samasource), African Management Institute (AMI), Moringa School and Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT). Emerging players are Andela and ALX Africa. Youth Employment Service (YES) is listed as a regional player. Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions is listed as an others. Generation (Global) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Generation Kenya have an API?
No public API is recorded for Generation Kenya.
What industry is Generation Kenya in?
Generation Kenya's product category is Workforce Development and Vocational Training Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAF, Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits, with a secondary code of EDAAAOAD, Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth). Its NAICS code is 61 and its SIC code is 8200.