iBase — Ideas · Action · Impact

iBase is a youth activation initiative designed to unlock the talent of idle and underserved youth in the Mathare Slums, Nairobi, by giving them a safe physical space to connect with peers and mentors, build employable core skills, and turn creative energy into opportunity.

An estimated 60% of youth in Kenya are unemployed — a reality that is likely even more pronounced within Mathare. Without access to mentorship, professional networks, or forums for creative expression, many young people are left idle, with limited pathways to change their circumstances.

iBase interrupts this cycle by leveraging PaaMoja’s existing infrastructure to provide youth with physical access to technology and connectivity, hands-on workshops in core leadership skills — communication, teamwork, organizing, and planning — and direct access to experienced mentors and networking opportunities. Beyond individual skill-building, iBase also serves the wider community as a co-working space for young professionals and start-ups, and an events platform for exhibitions, seminars, and conferences.