The online marketplace is partnering with Mount Kenya University to offer a self-paced digital course aimed at turning “side hustlers” into profitable business owners.
Jiji, an online marketplace platform active in Kenya, has launched a new free online course called “Zero to Profit: The Essentials of Business Building.” The company says the initiative is a direct response to bleak employment statistics in the country.
The move comes in the context of high youth unemployment. Jiji cites the 2023 Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Economic Survey, which reported that over 1.6 million Kenyans aged 18–34 are unemployed. Compounding this, a 2024 GeoPoll survey noted a strong entrepreneurial interest, with 87 percent of Kenyan youth expressing a desire to start their own businesses. However, a significant majority, particularly in the informal sector, lack access to structured business training.
The MKU Partnership
To launch the program, Jiji has partnered with Mount Kenya University (MKU). The official launch took place at the university’s Thika campus. This collaboration will be coordinated through the MKU’s Office of the Academic Director to help drive adoption of the course among students and the wider youth community.
How the Course Works
Jiji says the program is fully digital, free, and self-paced, designed to be accessible to the 22 million Kenyans who connect to the internet via mobile devices.
The curriculum is described as a “business toolkit” that covers the entire entrepreneurial process. This includes modules on:
- Finding a profitable niche
- Sourcing reliable suppliers
- Setting pricing strategies
- Branding and marketing
It also covers administrative and logistical hurdles, with modules on legal compliance, taxation, safe delivery practices, fraud prevention, and long-term customer retention.
The Incentive
This isn’t just an academic exercise; Jiji has a clear incentive to create more successful sellers for its own marketplace. Upon successful completion of the course, learners receive two things:
- A certificate of knowledge.
- A free “Boost Package” to “kickstart their business journey on Jiji.” This package is an advertising tool to give new sellers priority visibility on Jiji’s platform.
“At Jiji, our mission has always been to empower people by creating opportunities… not just through our platform, but through meaningful initiatives that address real challenges,” said Maureen Naliaka, PR & Marketing Manager at Jiji Kenya. “What’s often missing is access to the right knowledge, and that’s where Jiji Academy comes in.”
Naliaka (who was also quoted under the name “Valeriia” in the release) added that the course is a “first step in tackling youth unemployment” and helping “aspiring entrepreneurs take control of their financial future.”
The “Zero to Profit” course is available now for free registration at Jiji’s academy website.
Jiji operates an online classifieds platform in seven African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana. The company reports it has over 12 million unique monthly visits and hosts over 7 million active ads.
