Women Entrepreneurs during the Gender response Procurement Training in Nairobi
In Kenya, despite many women owning formally registered businesses, they secure only 1% of procurement opportunities from large corporations.
This gap isn’t due to a lack of ambition, but rather a combination of financial, structural, and cultural barriers that have long kept women out of lucrative supply chains.
It is in response to these challenges that the Gender-Responsive Procurement (GRP) initiative has emerged as a powerful tool for advancing women’s economic empowerment.
Through a partnership between UN Women and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the program is working to change this reality in both Kenya and Chile.
It engages 1,500 women across 10 counties including Nairobi, Samburu, Turkana, Tharaka Nithi, West Pokot, Isiolo, and Laikipia equipping them with the skills, networks, and information they need to compete, succeed, and thrive in procurement markets.
From the Training Room to Real Business Wins
For Wanjira Kibanya, founder of Tezlo Trading Limited and Tezlo Consulting Limited, the recent UN Women forum on gender-responsive procurement held in Nairobi was more than just another training; it was a wake-up call.
“I wanted the renewable energy side of my company to stand out, but I didn’t have a clear roadmap to enter the big corporate supply chains,” she says.
“Hearing from women who had won tenders sometimes as the only applicants was an eye-opener. It made me realize I’ve been holding back because of uncertainty, not lack of capability.”
Wanjira left the forum with a renewed determination to pursue opportunities in the energy sector, backed by the knowledge of how to navigate procurement systems and connect with networks that matter.
Tackling Barriers in the Supply Chain
Mellicent Okello, Women’s Economic Empowerment Specialist at UN Women, says the program is designed to address persistent barriers such as limited access to finance, weak networks, lack of mentorship, and fear of navigating competitive procurement processes.
“Many women are interested in joining supply chains, but the odds are stacked against them,” Okello explains.
“We are building their capacity and engaging stakeholders to create an enabling environment that gives women a fair chance.”
The program not only builds the capacity of women but also brings other stakeholders on board to create an enabling environment.
UN Women collaborates with the Government of Kenya, which has the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) program, reserving 30% of procurement opportunities for women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
Women are trained to understand the program requirements, overcome related barriers, and qualify for these opportunities.
UN Women also works with procurement and accounting officers in national and county government ministries to highlight the importance of implementing this provision.
The organization is engaging the private sector to open more opportunities for women.
While the sector is currently not standardized and has no set quotas, UN Women aims to initiate discussions about reserving a specific percentage for women.
Opportunities are also being opened within the UN system itself, where procurement teams engage women to explain how to compete effectively and prepare strong bids.
Because GRP is still relatively new, UN Women is also training journalists to understand and cover procurement issues.
“Media engagement is critical for creating awareness, changing mindsets, and influencing policy,” says Okello.
“By sharing success stories and highlighting challenges, journalists can help push for solutions like better financing, expanded markets, and standardized private sector procurement practices.”
Opening Markets Across Africa
For Pamela Onyango, Assistant Director at the State Department of Trade, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a game-changing opportunity for women.
“Borders will open, tariffs will drop, and barriers that have made trade costly and intimidating will be eliminated,” she says.
“Women, especially in agriculture, manufacturing, and services, stand to benefit immensely.”
She adds that the government’s recently launched e-procurement system will make it easier and more transparent for women to apply for opportunities from anywhere in the country.
Financing the Future of Women Entrepreneurs
The private sector is already showing signs of commitment, with KCB Bank empowering women entrepreneurs through its Female-Led and Made Enterprises (FLME) program.
The initiative supports businesses fully or partly owned and led by women and has so far reached over 100,000 enterprises, backed by a KSh 250 billion fund of which KSh 130 billion had been disbursed by the end of 2024.
In partnership with UN Women and other allies, KCB is tackling barriers like a lack of collateral by offering funding, training, and tailored support.
“We are committed to walking the entrepreneurial journey with women, ensuring their ambitions are transformed into reality,” says Nicholas Kinuthia, Branch Manager, KCB UN Gigiri.
Shaping the Future
Looking ahead, UN Women plans to launch a Women in Procurement Network, a one-stop shop for opportunities, legal services, mentorship, mental health support, exchange programs, and partnerships with financial institutions.
“We will co-create this with the women themselves to ensure it meets their real needs,” Okello says. “Gender equality benefits everyone. It’s not just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.”
As Kenya works toward its Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, gender-responsive procurement stands out as a transformative strategy, one that ensures no woman is left behind in the journey to economic empowerment.
