The Role of SACCO in Growth of Youth Entrepreneurship in Kenya: A Case of Nairobi County

Abstract

This paper presents findings from a study that focused on establishing the role of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) in the growth of youth entrepreneurship in Kenya. This study set out to determine whether access to finance, products and services and entrepreneurship education offered by SACCOs influence growth of youth entrepreneurship. The study used a descriptive research design where the target population comprised SACCOs that target youth owned enterprises. The findings indicate that there was increased growth of youth entrepreneurship as a result of different aspects employed by SACCOs to increase access to finance and that entrepreneurship education inculcated positive attitudes and improved business management skills. Products and services offered by SACCOs faced constraints and challenges that hindered growth of youth entrepreneurship. The study concludes that SACCOs play a key role in the growth of youth entrepreneurship and this can be enhanced through increased access to finance by youth entrepreneurs, provision of relevant entrepreneurship education and provision of quality products and services that address specific needs of youth entrepreneurs.