PS Ibrahim Highlights Government Efforts to Boost Job Creation and Inclusive Economic Growth

The PS, State Department for National Government Coordination, Hon. Ahmed A. Ibrahim, has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening coordination and implementation of its development priorities to create decent, productive and inclusive employment opportunities for Kenyans.

The PS made the remarks while participating in a High-Level Dialogue on the Future of Development, which focused on delivering results for more and better jobs in a changing development landscape.

The dialogue was graced by the Chief Guest, Hon. John Mbadi, CS, National Treasury and Economic Planning, who delivered the keynote address and highlighted the Government’s perspective on strengthening coordination and implementation to translate national priorities into better outcomes for all Kenyans.

During the panel discussions, PS Ibrahim highlighted the Government’s efforts to promote economic growth and job creation through priorities under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), including agriculture, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) economy, affordable housing, healthcare, and the Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy.

He noted that the Affordable Housing Programme alone has so far generated 640,442 direct and indirect jobs, underscoring the potential of strategic Government investments to expand employment opportunities and improve livelihoods.

The PS further emphasized the importance of strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) to enhance youth employability. He noted that training programmes have increasingly been aligned with industry needs, particularly in agriculture, engineering and ICT, and complemented by industrial attachments and recognition of prior learning.

“Government remains committed to creating decent, productive and inclusive jobs as a foundation for broad-based economic growth and improved livelihoods,” PS Ibrahim said.

He also called for stronger partnerships between the Government and the private sector to support entrepreneurship and self-employment, particularly among the youth. He noted the importance of establishing incubators and providing seed capital to enable young people to develop sustainable enterprises and create employment opportunities.

The High-Level Dialogue brought together key Government, development and private-sector stakeholders, including World Bank Group Vice President for East and Southern Africa, Mr. Ndiame Diop; Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Carole Kariuki; World Bank Group Director, Outcomes Department, Mr. Lisandro Martin; African Development Bank Group Director, Mr. Armand Nzeyimana; and Islamic Development Bank Director, Mr. Syed Husain Quadri.

The event was co-hosted by the World Bank Group, African Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank, providing a platform for stakeholders to explore strategies for accelerating job creation, strengthening development coordination and ensuring that economic growth translates into improved livelihoods for citizens.