The non-profit sector in Kenya and across Africa has been a significant economic force, contributing to the creation of dignified and fulfilling work for young people. The sector in Kenya has witnessed unprecedented growth in the last three decades, with a significant increase in the number and activities of organizations carrying out non-profit work. The volume of resources controlled by the sector has also grown, indicating its economic significance. Therefore on 9th and 10th April 2025, the Institute for Development Studies trained research assistants to carry out a study on The Contribution(s) of the Non-Profit Sector to African Economies: A focus on the Creation of Dignified and Fulfilling Work for Young People in Kenya.
Present were our Kenyan partners from Strathmore University and the East Africa Philanthropy Network-EAPN. We were also glad to be joined by Dr Wycliffe Nduga Ouma, PhD who is a Research Associate at the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment - CAPSI and the East Africa Regional Lead Researcher for the Mastercard Foundation project.
Specifically, the project seeks to address the following research questions:
(i) What is the contribution of the non-profit sector to youth employment in Africa?
(ii) What is the contribution of the non-profit sector to dignified and fulfilling work for young people in Africa?
(iii) Within the non-profit sector, what are the sub-sectoral contributions to dignified and fulfilling work for young people in Africa?