Youth+ Festival returns bigger and better to empower 4,500 young professionals
Game-changing second edition set to equip Kenya’s youth with skills, mentorship, and market linkages
The highly anticipated Youth+ Festival is making a grand return for its second edition, set to take place from February 28th to March 1st, 2025, at the Sarit Expo Centre. With a mission to empower Kenya’s youth, the festival will host 4,500 young entrepreneurs and professionals, offering knowledge-sharing, mentorship, skills training, and access to market opportunities.
Under the theme “Live Your Legacy,” this year’s festival promises a transformative experience featuring insightful keynote speeches, dynamic panel discussions, and an exciting new addition—24 industry-specific festival villages tailored to equip attendees with real-world skills.
One of the festival’s major highlights will be a keynote speech by Vusi Thembekwayo, the globally renowned entrepreneur and motivational speaker, who will take center stage on Day 2 to inspire and challenge young professionals to think big and act boldly.
Attendees will also benefit from mentorship and insights from leading industry figures, including:
- Ivy Wanjiru – Founder, JustIvy Africa
- Tonee Ndungu – AI Thought Leader
- Waceke Nduati – Founder, Centonomy
- Terry Muikamba – Media Strategist
- Phil Karanja – CEO, Philit TV
- Melanie Keita Mariam – CEO & Co-founder, Melanin Kapital Neobank
Speaking on the festival’s impact, Freddy Mulli, CEO of Youth+ Africa, emphasized the importance of empowering young people with the right tools to shape their futures.
“At Youth+, we believe that Kenya’s youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but the changemakers of today. By equipping them with the right skills, mentorship, and market access, we are redefining opportunities for young entrepreneurs to build sustainable careers and businesses. This festival is a movement that fosters passion, profession, and generational impact.”
For the first time, the Youth+ Festival will feature 24 curated festival villages designed to hone practical, industry-relevant skills. These breakout sessions will provide deep dives into various sectors, including: Financial Wellness, E-commerce, Digital & Influencer Marketing and Tech & Innovation
The villages will be led by industry experts, ensuring participants leave with actionable knowledge and insights to apply in their careers and businesses.
The inaugural Youth+ Festival in 2023 attracted 1,480 young entrepreneurs and showcased 15 innovators with groundbreaking ideas and technologies. The event was launched in response to Kenya’s rising youth unemployment rate, which stands at 67 percent, providing a platform for young professionals to acquire critical skills, networks, and opportunities to thrive in the economy.
Building on this momentum, the 2025 edition aims to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity by offering: Mentorship & Apprenticeship Programs, Market Linkages and Financing Opportunities.
With 7.4 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Kenya, many of which struggle to survive beyond two years, Youth+ Africa’s approach is critical for business sustainability. By linking young entrepreneurs to resources, mentorship, and funding, the festival will play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of Kenya’s next generation of business leaders.
With its powerful lineup of speakers, industry-driven skill-building sessions, and unparalleled networking opportunities, the 2025 Youth+ Festival is set to be a game-changer for Kenya’s youth.
For young professionals looking to turn their passion into a profession and build a lasting legacy, this is the event to attend.
