KEPSA, through the Gender Sector board, is planning to host the third Supplier Diversity Summit to accelerate advocacy for greater supplier diversification. The summit will also seek to increase access to procurement opportunities and spending and fast-track economic integration of diverse suppliers.

In this regard, KEPSA held a Supplier Diversity Pre-summit webinar on 10th November 2022. The webinar sought to sensitize participants on the procurement registration process while at the same time demonstrating how to access the global market through the WEConnect Platform.

In her remarks, Ms Mucha Mlingo - KEPSA Gender Sector Board Chair noted that the upcoming summit is meant to accelerate diversity supply and link special interest groups to have direct access to government procurement prospects such as Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) and other corporate opportunities, thus translating to job creation.

"Standard practice is that 30% of procurement budget should be set aside for SMEs businesses owned by youth, PWDs, Women and other special interest groups. There's a need for a change of perspectives on the scope of supplier diversity," said Ms Mlingo, adding that KEPSA has partnered with WEConnect to bridge the gap in connecting women with opportunities.

Ms Margaret Mutheu - Regional Director for Africa at WEConnect noted the need to understand how to navigate the whole process to access global markets. She revealed that in the current economy, less than 1% of procurement spending by large corporations is earned by women. "We identify, train and certify women-owned businesses outside of the US. Our key markets are South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya," She added.

Ms Mutheu also noted that Standard Chartered is looking for women-owned businesses in tech and this is one of the high-value assignments for certified businesses. Healthcare, medicine, manufacturing and tech are some of the key sectors that women should explore in their businesses because they also attract high-value assignments. She said that eligibility for registration as a certified women-owned business is critical.

WEConnect started operations in Kenya in March but fully got to business in July. Some of the activities done and planned since include:

• Meet-the-buyer events.
• Certifications; held various webinars with our partners, UN Procurement Webinar
• Doing Business procurement events with Standard Chartered Bank; Large Food and beverage companies; Unilever.
• End of Year Gala.
• Women SME procurement readiness training for IFC Kenya. This will be shared and a call made for those interested in attending. At least 1,300 women SMEs by the end of 2023. Matchmaking events to follow thereafter for buyers, local and international.

Pilot by Mid-December.

• Africa Trade Summit, on 26th January 2023 to discuss how to do business with African countries.
• International Day and WBENC Conference – March 20th-23rd 2023.

Ms Mercy Okiro – KEPSA Gender Sector Board Vice-Chair noted in her remarks that there was a need for the private sector to collaborate and reach out to the government, which is specific on the SMEs agenda, in advancing the integration of supplier diversity. "A conversation on financial challenges and opportunities for women should be a priority with practical aspects borne from today's discussion," She added.