NCBA Go-Getter Internship Program provides young graduates in Kenya with hands-on corporate experience, bridging education and employment through structured mentorship and training.
In Kenya, the conversation surrounding new employment opportunities has not been the most pleasing to listen to. The fact is that Kenya is facing an unemployment crisis, with the unemployment rate in Kenya forecast to be 7.23% in 2025. With a total population of almost 60 million individuals, the labor force in Kenya standing at 24% is a troubling truth.
The Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) estimates today’s youth (15-34 years) unemployment at a staggering 67%. The youth make up 35% of the country’s population. The surge is believed to be due to many factors, with emphasis on increased access to education. Schools and colleges churn out thousands of graduates every year in an international context where the labor market has remained comparatively dormant.
The concentration of jobs in urban business centers creates a lack of opportunities in rural and semi-urban areas which results in under-employment of youth in those areas. Data showed that while at least secondary education was required for formal employment, low levels of education and other skills had little impact on informal and self-employment.
This has led to the youth pursuing alternative income-generating jobs including entrepreneurship, gig economy labor, and off-the-books employment. Young Kenyans are increasingly using digital platforms for freelance work, online business, and content creation as traditional employment opportunities are limited. This, however, does not fully cater to the challenge of accessing formal employment, which is still regarded highly by the majority of educated youth.
The lack of formal employment opportunities has further led to increased migration, as a majority of qualified experts have ventured to work abroad. This has created a great risk of families being conned by many who pretend to be travel and work agents who promise good-paying jobs overseas but ultimately employ desperate job seekers in exploitative means. The majority of Kenyan youths have fallen prey to human trafficking, bogus job placement, and exploitative working conditions overseas.
Dreams of better pay and a good life overseas have lured most into disregarding caution, and in the process, they have been exposed to abuse, delayed pay, and even modern-day slavery. The technological advancements and automation have also rendered certain traditional jobs obsolete, further skewing the labor market.
The call has fallen on corporates and the government alike, to address this issue by creating opportunities within Kenya. To try to address these expectations, the government has over the last few years invested billions of shillings in programs, funds, and different trainings to support the youth. These include Kazi kwa Vijana, the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, and the revamped National Youth Service.
Privately, more corporates have introduced internship programs within their operations, to try and engage recent graduates in formal education. This is commonly done through investment in vocational training, apprenticeship programs, and policies that encourage entrepreneurship and innovation can help bridge the employment gap.
The NCBA Go-getter internship program is not only a strategic initiative to enable the youth to get first-hand corporate experience, but also a stage for young graduates to perform to the best of their abilities, network, and build their career portfolios.
The program, running annually for 8 months, is open for recent university graduates who exhibit NCBA’s Go-Getter Spirit. It is designed to bridge the gap between academic excellence and practical workplace demands. The interns will be engaged within different departments and will be evaluated at the end of the program.
Key areas of exposure include:
• Retail & Corporate Banking – Understanding customer needs, financial products, and relationship management.
• Risk & Compliance – Learning about regulatory frameworks and risk assessment.
• Digital Banking & Innovation – Exploring fintech solutions and the role of technology in modern banking.
• Marketing & Communications – Developing strategies to enhance brand visibility and customer engagement.
Through the Go-Getter Internship Program, NCBA is not only investing in future talent but also building a culture of excellence and motivating future workers. Through this program, NCBA validates its belief that today’s go-getters have the potential to be tomorrow’s game-changers if provided appropriate guidance and opportunity.
To apply, visit the NCBA website and fill in the official application form.
