Kenya’s Digital Leap: Modernising Job Services to Leave No One Behind

NAIROBI, Kenya – In a significant step towards inclusive employment services, Kenya has transformed the National Employment Authority Integrated Management System (NEAIMS) into an online platform designed to serve all jobseekers, including those from vulnerable communities. The initiative, supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and financially backed by the Ministry of Employment and Labour of the Republic of Korea, aims to make employment services more modern, accessible and sustainable.

With high unemployment rates affecting many Kenyans, particularly those in marginalised situations, the NEA’s overhaul marks a critical intervention. According to an internal project evaluation on strengthening public employment services (PES) in English-speaking Africa, 76 per cent of early users found the new NEAIMS platform easy to navigate.

The platform’s new browser-based design ensures jobseekers can search for local and overseas opportunities on mobile phones or computers. It also incorporates features such as assistive technologies that enlarge fonts for people with visual impairments, reflecting a strong commitment to universal accessibility.

Speaking on the progress, Edith Okoki, Director General of the NEA, noted that both the number of jobseekers and employers engaging with NEA services has increased. “The scope of our employment services now extends to vulnerable communities, including refugees, enabling them to access job opportunities,” she said.

Beyond upgrading the technology, the project focused on building the capacity of NEA staff. Employment officers received comprehensive training covering the use and management of the online portal as well as broader PES concepts, trends and advisory skills. This process also produced a general training manual and created a cohort of trainers capable of passing on knowledge to new staff, securing long-term scalability.

The drive for inclusivity and modernisation does not end there. In August 2023, a Kenyan delegation travelled to South Korea to study inclusive employment practices and partnerships with local governments. Insights from this visit were woven into the NEA Strategic Plan (2023–2027), highlighting Kenya’s openness to international learning and cooperation.

To ensure continued momentum, stakeholders have committed to full operationalisation of NEAIMS, supported by dedicated budget allocations, integration in NEA performance contracts and the hiring of 129 additional officers. Building on this, the ILO is partnering with Korea University of Technology and Education (KOREATECH) to further strengthen the capacity of Kenyan public officials, fostering innovation and sustainable development.

Kenya was among the first countries in East Africa to ratify ILO Convention No. 88 on Public Employment Services back in 1952, underscoring a long-standing commitment to advancing employment for all. Today, the digital transformation of NEAIMS represents a new chapter in that commitment, aiming for a future where every jobseeker can find meaningful work and every employer can find the right talent.

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