The NYOTA awards process runs in five official phases, from public nominations through screening, selection and voting, to the announcement of winners. Every phase exists to do one thing: recognise the young entrepreneurs supported by the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project, in every one of Kenya's 47 counties, and make sure people know their names.
Young entrepreneurs supported by the NYOTA Project, in any of Kenya's 47 counties, can be nominated through this official nomination platform. Anyone who knows an entrepreneur's work can put them forward.
All submissions go through screening and verification. Incomplete or unverifiable entries may be disqualified.
The NYOTA team reviews qualified submissions and selects the official nominees in each category, who are then announced publicly.
Voting happens in two rounds: county voting first, then national voting. Nominees who come through their county round go on to the national round.
Voting is free. Create a free account, confirm your phone number, and you can vote once in each category every day. Vote only on this official platform. Votes count toward recognition and visibility, and they are not the only thing that decides a winner.
Once national voting closes, the results go through final verification, from 3 December 2026 to 5 December 2026. Winners are announced publicly by the NYOTA Project.
Details of the recognition for NYOTA honourees will be announced.
Nominations are open across all 47 counties. Put forward a young entrepreneur supported by the NYOTA Project. Kuza, Imarisha, Endeleza Vijana!
