As the national physical verification for the NYOTA program begins, the government has addressed nine frequently asked questions about the Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test (EAT). The test is mandatory for youths seeking Ksh50,000 business grants. President William Ruto announced fund disbursements starting November 4 this year.
The National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) is a five-year transformative agenda initiated by the government, funded by the World Bank. It aims to empower youth by addressing unemployment, income insecurity, and limited savings. During Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kitui on October 20, President William Ruto announced that his administration would begin disbursing funds from November 4, 2025. Together with the World Bank, the government has allocated Ksh20 billion for various youth-led initiatives under NYOTA.
The Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test (EAT) is a mandatory requirement for youths interested in entrepreneurship and small-scale business ventures seeking grants of Ksh50,000 each. It assesses the entrepreneurship intent or business mindset of applicants, helping the government identify the 100,000 beneficiaries of the grants. To take the EAT, applicants are instructed to send the word NYOTA to 40270 and follow the prompts until all 19 questions are answered.
The government has clarified common questions:
- If no response after sending 'NYOTA', interested youths should activate promotional messages by dialling *100#, selecting 5, then 2, then 5.
- Applicants can choose their preferred language at the start of the exam but cannot change it once the test has begun.
- If a phone switches off mid-test, applicants can resume where they left off once the phone is back on, provided they use the same SIM card.
- It is possible to use a different phone to continue the test as long as the original SIM card registered for the program remains inserted.
- The test is free of charge.
- Most users report completing the exam within 15 to 30 minutes, depending on response speed and network conditions.
- Retakes are not permitted.
- It is not possible to correct mistakes made during the test; applicants are advised to review answers before submission as they cannot be changed.
- Both smartphones and feature phones are compatible.
NYOTA beneficiaries will receive business grants of Ksh50,000, training, and mentorship to tackle youth challenges.