Startup targets youth unemployment with gig-work platform

Kenya’s youth population continues to face high levels of unemployment, particularly in urban areas where access to stable jobs remains limited.

Young people aged between 15 and 34 account for about 35 per cent of the country’s population, according to demographic estimates.

This group records the highest unemployment rates, especially in major urban centres including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret.

In many informal settlements, job opportunities are limited and information on available work is often fragmented.

As a result, many young people depend on informal networks such as word-of-mouth referrals to secure short-term income.

A new technology-driven platform is seeking to address these challenges.

Tich, a mobile-first digital marketplace targeting urban youth, aims to connect job seekers with short-term and informal work opportunities while introducing more transparency and accountability in the hiring process.

The application, which is under development, will allow users to search for jobs, apply through the platform and manage work engagements via mobile phones.

It will also include features such as ratings, referrals and basic contract guidance to help organise informal labour markets.

Its developers say the platform is designed to improve access to income opportunities while helping employers identify workers more efficiently.

“Tich is designed to increase employment visibility and improve job-matching efficiency for urban youth,” the company said in a statement.

“By aggregating gig opportunities in one place, the platform aims to make the informal labour market more transparent and accessible.”

The initiative comes as mobile technology continues to shape how young people engage with the economy. Kenya has high smartphone penetration and widespread use of social media, creating an enabling environment for mobile-based solutions.

At the same time, gig-based hiring is on the rise in sectors such as event staffing, delivery services and casual technical work. Despite this growth, many opportunities remain difficult to access or verify, exposing both workers and employers to inefficiencies.

Tich’s founders say the platform will address this by providing a structured digital marketplace where users can access verified job listings, submit applications and build credibility through ratings.

The platform will also offer guidance on basic contract terms to help workers better understand job conditions.

The startup plans to pilot the platform in Nairobi and Mombasa before expanding to Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret.

The pilot will be supported by FasterCapital, a global venture builder and online incubator that works with early-stage startups. The organisation will support Tich through its EquityPilot programme.

“We’re excited to support Tich through EquityPilot,” said Hesham Zreik, founder and chief executive of FasterCapital.

“Our team will focus on execution milestones and connecting the startup with the right ecosystem stakeholders.”

Over the next 30 to 60 days, the startup will focus on refining the Android version of the application and conducting outreach in Nairobi and Mombasa to onboard job seekers and employers.

The company also plans to work with community organisations, local technology hubs and youth networks in informal settlements to support adoption.

Tich’s founding team brings experience in marketing, digital product development and community engagement within Kenya’s technology ecosystem.

Beyond the pilot phase, the startup is seeking about US$150,000 to complete development and support a 12-month go-to-market strategy. The funding will be used to expand operations, strengthen employer partnerships and scale user acquisition.

In the next three months, the company plans to complete development milestones, recruit employer partners and track performance indicators such as job placements, user retention and employer satisfaction.

As more young people enter the labour market each year, digital platforms such as Tich are emerging as one of the approaches aimed at addressing unemployment by improving access to job opportunities and increasing transparency in informal labour markets.