A partnership has been struck between Unilever and Invest in Africa that will provide tenders worth KSh 10.78 billion to these groups of people.
The partnership seeks to empower small and medium-sized entities run by the youth, women and people with disabilities by giving them access to tenders worth KSh 10.78 billion at the consumer goods group. Invest in Africa is a non-profit company that offers training and tender opportunities for small traders through a digital platform known as Biashara now.
Since the pandemic, a lot of people were left out in the cold and unfortunately, there has been a rise in unemployment. However, if this partnership goes well one million jobs would have been created by 2025 which will also reduce income inequalities.
Unilever Kenya managing director Luck Ochieng said:
“We shall continue to drive diversity and inclusion in our value chain by removing barriers and biases in creating more employment opportunities. To drive this commitment, we shall increase the participation of minority SMEs in our supply chains,”
The reality in Kenya is that the vulnerable, the young and the women suffer a lot of inequality and rarely get the opportunity to grow economically because the opportunities are given to the rich and the well connected.
The state seeks to reserve up to 30% of state tenders to businesses belonging to the youth, women and persons with disability. According to the Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO), firms owned by youth, women and persons with disability are offered a share or state tenders without competition from established firms.
Terry Kinyua, country manager of Invest in Africa.
“Through this partnership with Unilever, we hope to create an economy where that thrives for everyone…where all participate as entrepreneurs, workers and consumers,”