Paradigm Initiative’s LIFE Legacy Programme Equips 39 Nairobi Youth with Digital and Entrepreneurship Skills

By Catherine Muema On May 30, 2024

Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a pan-African non-governmental organization, celebrated a significant milestone in its efforts to bridge the unemployment gap in Kenya with the graduation of 39 students from underserved communities. These graduates are the first batch to complete the LIFE Legacy Programme, an initiative aimed at equipping youth with essential digital and entrepreneurship skills.

The 10-week-long LIFE (Life Skills, ICT Skills, Financial Readiness, and Entrepreneurship Skills) Legacy training culminated in a graduation ceremony held at Strathmore University, Nairobi. This event was a testament to the program’s success in empowering young individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, providing them with the tools needed to thrive in the digital economy.

Mr. Timothy Were, ICT Deputy Director at the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy in Kenya, officiated the ceremony. He emphasized the importance of digital skills in today’s economy and the necessity of empowering youth from underserved communities. “The LIFE Legacy Programme represents more than a training course; it embodies a powerful vision of empowerment, inclusion, and opportunity,” Mr. Were stated, highlighting the programme’s role in bridging the digital divide and unlocking the potential of young people.

Gonline Africa Founder, Alphonce Odhiambo, also spoke at the event, stressing the need for continued efforts to support youth in the digital sector. He called for collaboration among organizations to effectively position young individuals in the digital economy.

Khadijah El-Usman, Paradigm Initiative’s Senior Programmes Officer for Anglophone Africa, traced the origins and impact of the LIFE Legacy Programme, which began in 2007 in Ajegunle, Nigeria. Since its Kenyan inception in September 2023, the programme has trained 80 young people from Kibera in Nairobi and Tana River in Coastal Kenya.

Judith Ogutu, Paradigm Initiative’s Communications Manager, highlighted the organization’s broader efforts in advocating for digital rights and policy development.

She presented various digital advocacy tools developed by the organization, including Ayeta, Ripoti, the Londa report, and related short films, all aimed at enhancing digital rights and inclusion across the continent.

The LIFE Legacy Programme, which is also implemented in Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and Zimbabwe, has made a significant impact, reaching over 150,000 young Africans.

It focuses on providing life skills, ICT skills, financial readiness, and entrepreneurship skills, aiming to create opportunities for internships, online work, and entrepreneurial ventures.

This initiative enables young people to earn sustainable incomes and contribute to their communities and economies.

The graduation of the first cohort in Nairobi marks a promising step towards addressing unemployment and digital exclusion in Kenya. Paradigm Initiative’s commitment to empowering youth and fostering digital inclusion continues to inspire hope and drive change across Africa.