NairoBits Trust

NairoBits is a registered trust out of Nairobi, Kenya in operation since 1999 with a focus on empowering the youth from urban informal settlements by equipping them with market-relevant digital skills. The aspiration, conception and birth of NairoBits started in 1999. The concept was to start up a web design institute in Nairobi for disadvantaged young people, motivated to share their skills as multimedia designers and offer chances to the youth in a time where the ICT space in Africa was evolving and largely untapped on the education front. The mission was to change the lives of the youth by building their skills and changing their mindset, from vulnerable to empowered people who could earn a living and uplift their communities as a result. We primarily target underserved youth from the informal urban settlements of Nairobi aged between 17 and 24 years of age largely disadvantaged in terms of basic human needs, including access to education and skills development. With over 20 years in operation we believe that in the midst of slums lies untapped potential that needs to be nurtured and given a platform to grow. The organization empowers youth from underserved backgrounds and low-income communities. Our operations are modelled around promoting creative and innovative use of ICT to create equitable opportunities for these youth enabling them to contribute to a workforce that positively impacts societies. While our core mandate remains in training ICT for socio-economic empowerment, we are keen on positive youth development which has led us to offer acumen programs in reproductive health, life skills, entrepreneurship and mentorship. Over the course of our work in Nairobi’s impoverished communities, we have trained over 9,000 youth in digital skills, many of whom have become successful in the job market. Our impact has been recognized by international awards, but most satisfyingly, the employment and success of our graduating students.