Authored by Alan Ndirangu — Investment Analyst, Youth Impact Labs Context In 2018, the global gig economy generated US$ 204 billion in gross volume, with transportation-based services, such as ride-sharing, taking the share of the cake at 58%. This economy was projected to grow by a 17% CAGR, leading to…

Nairobi, Kenya, 26th August 2020 — Mercy Corps Youth Impact Labs launches microgrant support targeting 350 digital MSMEs to cushion them against the adverse effects of Covid-19. Since March 2020, when the pandemic hit Kenya, MSMEs have faced multiple risks that have affected their business continuity. Social distancing, a government…

Evidently so, the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed gaps in social protection for informal workers, globally. It is said that some 1.6 billion people employed in the informal economy — or nearly half the global workforce — could see their livelihoods destroyed due to the continued decline in working hours brought…

Authored by Josphine Kiruku — Communications and Learning Co-ordinator, Youth Impact Labs Improved digital infrastructure has boosted the rise of digital gig platforms in East Africa. E-commerce, ride-hailing and delivery platforms are quickly gaining popularity, especially among the youth. Reason being, they offer flexibility and cut on costs that would…

Authored by Josphine Kiruku — Communications and Learning Co-ordinator, Youth Impact Labs Covid-19 has undoubtedly presented working capital shortages for startups. With challenges such as stockouts due to limited product mobility within towns or import restrictions and reduced demand for non-essential products and services, startups are going back to the…

Authored by: Enock Wangila — Partnership Engagement Analyst, Youth Impact Labs State of the Digital economy Digitization is growing rapidly around the world as technology adoption continues to disrupt industries and economies. The World Economic Forum estimates that by 2022, 60% of global GDP will be digitized[1]. As a result…

Authored by Jerioth Mwaura, Project Lead — Youth Impact Labs, As Covid-19 continues to spread around the world, for developing countries such as Kenya, the pandemic is disrupting the economy in an unprecedented manner. In order to address the health challenge, the Kenyan Government has provided directives to reduce the…

Authored by Josphine Kiruku (Communications & Learning Co-ordinator, Youth Impact Labs) and Gituku Ngene (Post Investment & Learning Officer, Youth Impact Labs) In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, technology has proven to be an enabler as more organizations and governments shift to online platforms to deliver products and services…

Authored by: Josphine Kiruku — Communications Lead, Youth Impact Labs Nairobi, Kenya, June 4th, 2020 — Mercy Corps’ Youth Impact Labs program, with the generous contribution from Google.org, announces extended support for digital Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and digital workers in East Africa to cushion them from the…