The effects of the Youth Enterprise Development Fund on the promotion of international trade in Kenya: a case of youth groups in Nairobi county, Kenya.

Abstract

This study sought to examine the effectiveness of the Youth Enterprise Development Fund on the promotion of Kenya’s international trade through the operations of its beneficiaries in Nairobi County. The Fund aims to facilitate the marketing of youth’s goods and services both locally and abroad, and thus the focus of this study. A primary aim of the research was to establish the facilitation offered to the youth groups in Nairobi County by the Fund in order to promote international trade; and to identify the challenges that impede youth enterprise ventures supported by the Fund from accessing international markets for their products. The study found out that involvement of YEDF-supported youth enterprises in international trade was very low as a result of the limited amount of funds disbursed as start-up money by the Fund as loans. The limited amount of loans makes them unable to produce goods that are of high quality and thus competitive enough to attract good prices in foreign markets. The knowledge of how to access international markets was also limited thus selling most of their products to middlemen. The paper recommends the YEDF and the government should consider modalities of increasing not only the supply but also the amounts of credits offered in order to increase the prospects of those interested in venturing in international trade. There is also need for creating network linkages between youth owned enterprises and large exporting firms in order to promote knowledge development and joint activity regarding international trade.