Youth employment research Kenya, Hillock Global insights, digital economy trends, vocational training data Kenya, SDG 8 research Africa

Understanding the Landscape to Shape Better Solutions

At Hillock Global, our mission is rooted not only in action—but in evidence-based action. We believe that sustainable, inclusive development begins with a deep understanding of the ecosystems we operate in. That’s why research, insights, and data are central to everything we do.

This category brings together key findings, labor market analyses, pilot evaluations, and community-based insights that guide our programming—and can inform policymakers, NGOs, and funders across Africa.Key Youth Employment Insights in Kenya (2024 Update)

1. Youth Unemployment Remains High:
   Over 38% of Kenyan youth aged 18–34 are unemployed or underemployed, with rural youth disproportionately affected due to limited access to infrastructure, internet, and training.

2. The Rise of the Gig and Digital Economy:
   Freelance platforms and digital jobs offer opportunities for youth with basic connectivity and digital literacy, yet 60% of rural youth remain excluded due to digital inequality.

3. Mismatch Between Training and Market Needs:
   Traditional TVET programs often fail to align with fast-changing market demands. Hillock’s labor market assessments show a growing need for soft skills, tech adaptation, and entrepreneurial readiness.

4. Women Face Greater Barriers:
   Young women—especially from informal settlements—cite caregiving, safety concerns, and low confidence as key blockers to entering the workforce or digital economy

Our Role in Bridging the Gaps

Hillock Global uses these insights to design hyper-contextualized training and employment models, such as:

• The Pan-African Employment Services Toolkit (EST) – developed through multi-country consultation, helping TVET institutions prepare youth for entrepreneurship and formal employment.

• Labor Market Assessments (LMA) – ongoing field studies to identify local and global skills demand.

• Gender-Inclusive Design – all research includes a gender lens to ensure our programs address the distinct challenges faced by young women.

Recent Research ighlights

Report: Digital Literacy Access in Northern Kenya
Revealed that 75% of youth lacked basic exposure to digital tools, prompting a shift in our training to include pre-digital familiarization modules.

Study: Post-COVID Informal Sector Resilience
Found that youth-led micro-enterprises had 2X better survival rates when they had prior digital and financial literacy training.

Survey: Skills Employers Seek in 2025
Top 3: Communication, Adaptability, and Basic Tech Literacy. This now informs our bootcamp curriculum across all counties.

Sharing What We Learn

We don’t just collect data—we share it. Hillock is committed to open learning, offering white papers, infographics, and policy briefs to partners, funders, and fellow practitioners.

✅ Want to access our latest research reports?
✅ Interested in co-creating field studies in your region?
✅ Looking to fund data-driven pilot projects?

Let’s collaborate to turn knowledge into action.

Insights that Build the Future

Because when we listen to communities, track results, and test what works, we create more than programs—we create pathways to a better future for youth across Africa.