West & Central Africa RO
Strategic note period
2022-2025
Other resources (non-core)
Country Indexes
UN Women in action: Strategic insights and achievements
View annual report narratives for the year
Advancing SDGs: UN Women's impact and key achievements
UN Women’s Affirmative Procurement Regional Initiative, funded by the African Development Fund and We-fi (Women Entrepreneurs Financing Facility) has helped improve the abilities of women entrepreneurs and business operations of 1,035 women-led SMEs through targeted training in procurement processes, digital skills, and financial management in across Nigeria, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and Mali. Of these, 659 women-led SMEs secured new contracts across public and private sectors, and 245 registered on the UN Global Marketplace (UNGM) platform. They can therefore, access procurement contracts with the UN system in the future. Over 1,700 women entrepreneurs in the four countries are equipped to navigate procurement processes and apply for public bids.
The Affirmative Procurement Initiative is fully aligned with the UN Women Strategic Plan, and tackles root causes and capacity gaps. Its results-focused approach is rendering changes in translating the dynamic set of global gender equality and empowerment norms and standards gender-responsive laws. It also enabled more women entrepreneurs in West and Central Africa to get equitable access to high-quality public goods, services, jobs, and resources that are responsive to their needs.
In 2024, Kaduna State in Nigeria, home to 9 million people, adopted groundbreaking legislation to give women preferential access to public contracts, thanks to UN Women’s support through the regional Project on Affirmative Procurement Reform in West Africa. This important normative landmark outcome advances women’s economic empowerment in West and Central Africa and directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The Affirmative Procurement Act, adopted, allows women-led businesses to bid even if they do not yet satisfy the prior registration requirement and provides for the minimum allocation of 5 to 20% of the market to them, depending on the type of bid.
The Affirmative Procurement Initiative is fully aligned with the UN Women Strategic Plan, and tackles root causes and capacity gaps. Its results-focused approach is rendering changes in translating the dynamic set of global gender equality and empowerment norms and standards gender-responsive laws. It also enabled more women entrepreneurs in West and Central Africa to get equitable access to high-quality public goods, services, jobs, and resources that are responsive to their needs.
In 2024, Kaduna State in Nigeria, home to 9 million people, adopted groundbreaking legislation to give women preferential access to public contracts, thanks to UN Women’s support through the regional Project on Affirmative Procurement Reform in West Africa. This important normative landmark outcome advances women’s economic empowerment in West and Central Africa and directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The Affirmative Procurement Act, adopted, allows women-led businesses to bid even if they do not yet satisfy the prior registration requirement and provides for the minimum allocation of 5 to 20% of the market to them, depending on the type of bid.
Advancing SDGs: UN Women's impact and key achievements
Through Affirmative procurement project in WCA region, UN Women has achieved significant milestones in advancing gender equality and economic growth through targeted interventions in procurement practices. 658 women have now access to procurement opportunities and are actively engaging in bidding processes, demonstrating their enhanced capacity and confidence, especially among those who previously hesitated to bid. To achieve these results a capacity-building initiatives were organized, and 2000 women were strengthened to navigate procurement processes successfully. Additionally, 191 officials know how to support Gender-Responsive Procurement (GRP). These endeavors directly contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5 and 8, which focus on gender equality and economic growth, respectively. For instance, in Senegal, the adoption of quota systems and in Nigeria, affirmative procurement guidelines have been implemented.
Through targeted policy advocacy, capacity-building initiatives, and strategic partnerships with governments, UN entities and private sector, UN Women has played a pivotal role in driving substantial advancements in gender-responsive procurement practices across Senegal, Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, and Nigeria. For example, in Nigeria, UN Women regional office provided technical support in developing the WEE Policy, which facilitated the establishment of affirmative procurement guidelines at both national and sub-national levels. Noteworthy successes include Mali, where 30 women-owned businesses secured 17 new procurement contracts totaling $745,977.48 USD, and one of our female trainee, a pharmacist, and WOB securing a contract with our insurance partner CIGNA. Over 188 women registering as vendors on the UNGM system. Additionally, for better post-training follow-up, women have established WhatsApp networking groups to facilitate collaboration, mentorship, and ongoing professional development.
Key partners across public and private sectors, as well as the UN system, have played integral roles in supporting the project's objectives. Collaborations with governments, exemplified by partnerships with the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (LSPPA) have led to significant affirmative procurement reforms. Similarly, in Senegal, UN Women's partnerships with the National Guarantee Fund (CDMP) to support women entrepreneurs in obtaining guarantees in the process of applying for public contracts, along with the SME Agency (ADEPME), enhanced women entrepreneurs' access to procurement opportunities. In Mali, strategic alliances with the National Procurement Agency, the United Nations Mission in Mali, Impact Her. In Côte d'Ivoire, collaboration with government and ministries, including the Ministry of Women and the Ministry of Trade, Industry. Regarding private sector engagement, highlighted by the Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) initiative, significant growth , with 200 signatories promoting gender-sensitive procurement practices.
Through targeted policy advocacy, capacity-building initiatives, and strategic partnerships with governments, UN entities and private sector, UN Women has played a pivotal role in driving substantial advancements in gender-responsive procurement practices across Senegal, Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, and Nigeria. For example, in Nigeria, UN Women regional office provided technical support in developing the WEE Policy, which facilitated the establishment of affirmative procurement guidelines at both national and sub-national levels. Noteworthy successes include Mali, where 30 women-owned businesses secured 17 new procurement contracts totaling $745,977.48 USD, and one of our female trainee, a pharmacist, and WOB securing a contract with our insurance partner CIGNA. Over 188 women registering as vendors on the UNGM system. Additionally, for better post-training follow-up, women have established WhatsApp networking groups to facilitate collaboration, mentorship, and ongoing professional development.
Key partners across public and private sectors, as well as the UN system, have played integral roles in supporting the project's objectives. Collaborations with governments, exemplified by partnerships with the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (LSPPA) have led to significant affirmative procurement reforms. Similarly, in Senegal, UN Women's partnerships with the National Guarantee Fund (CDMP) to support women entrepreneurs in obtaining guarantees in the process of applying for public contracts, along with the SME Agency (ADEPME), enhanced women entrepreneurs' access to procurement opportunities. In Mali, strategic alliances with the National Procurement Agency, the United Nations Mission in Mali, Impact Her. In Côte d'Ivoire, collaboration with government and ministries, including the Ministry of Women and the Ministry of Trade, Industry. Regarding private sector engagement, highlighted by the Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) initiative, significant growth , with 200 signatories promoting gender-sensitive procurement practices.
Results and resources
- Results overview
- Total resources
- Development results and resources
- Organizational results and resources
Budget
Expenses
Outcome
Result statement
IATI identifier
OutcomeWCA_O_1
Outcome result statementPrincipled Performance
IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-WCA_O_1
OutcomeWCA_O_2
Outcome result statementAdvancing Partnerships and Resourcing
IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-WCA_O_2
OutcomeWCA_O_3
Outcome result statementAdvancing business transformation
IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-WCA_O_3
OutcomeWCA_O_4
Outcome result statementThe team works in an environment that is perceived as inclusive and embodies UN and UN Women values, strengthens leadership and team capacity, promotes an environment of continuous learning, promotes a culture of accountability, tackles discrimination when needed, effectively implements recruitments, giving due consideration to diversity, is respectful and applies safeguarding measures and follows standards of conduct. This is done through the participation in, amongst others, the Leadership Dialogues, Value Conversations, team and leadership development programmes , feedback exercises, completion of mandatory training and performance management processes, PSEA and SH training, e-learning (e.g. UNSCC)
IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-WCA_O_4
OutcomeWCA_O_5
Outcome result statementEffective normative, programmatic and coordination products, services and processes:
IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-WCA_O_5
Resources allocated towards SDGs
View SDG data for
Our funding partners contributions
- Chart
- Table
Regular resources (core)
$876.25 K in total
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Other resources (non-core)
$8.03 M in total
Regular resources (core)
$876.25 K in total
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| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) | $438,126 2023
United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
Total contribution:$438,126
Development:$438,126(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
$438,126 2022
United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
Total contribution:$438,126
Development:$438,126(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
--
2021
No data available
|
--
2020
No data available
|
--
2019
No data available
|
2023
United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)$438,126
Total contribution$438,126
Development$438,126(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
2022
United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)$438,126
Total contribution$438,126
Development$438,126(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
Other resources (non-core)
$8.03 M in total
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | $308,865 2023
SwedenOECD-DAC donor
Total contribution:$308,865
Development:$308,865(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
$308,865 2022
SwedenOECD-DAC donor
Total contribution:$308,865
Development:$308,865(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
$238,488 2021
SwedenOECD-DAC donor
Total contribution:$238,488
Development:$238,488(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
$508,397 2020
SwedenOECD-DAC donor
Total contribution:$508,397
Development:$508,397(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
$218,896 2019
SwedenOECD-DAC donor
Total contribution:$218,896
Development:$218,896(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
| Austria | $163,961 2023
AustriaOECD-DAC donor
Total contribution:$163,961
Development:$0(0%)
Humanitarian:$163,961(100%)
|
$163,961 2022
AustriaOECD-DAC donor
Total contribution:$163,961
Development:$0(0%)
Humanitarian:$163,961(100%)
|
$553,753 2021
AustriaOECD-DAC donor
Total contribution:$553,753
Development:$0(0%)
Humanitarian:$553,753(100%)
|
$245,012 2020
AustriaOECD-DAC donor
Total contribution:$245,012
Development:$0(0%)
Humanitarian:$245,012(100%)
|
--
2019
No data available
|
| Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) | --
2023
No data available
|
--
2022
No data available
|
$10,555 2021
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)United Nations organization
Total contribution:$10,555
Development:$10,555(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
$92,500 2020
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)United Nations organization
Total contribution:$92,500
Development:$92,500(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
--
2019
No data available
|
| United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) | --
2023
No data available
|
--
2022
No data available
|
$134,469 2021
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)United Nations organization
Total contribution:$134,469
Development:$134,469(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
$54,074 2020
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)United Nations organization
Total contribution:$54,074
Development:$54,074(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
--
2019
No data available
|
| Ireland | --
2023
No data available
|
--
2022
No data available
|
$89,682 2021
IrelandOECD-DAC donor
Total contribution:$89,682
Development:$89,682(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
--
2020
No data available
|
--
2019
No data available
|
| Japan | --
2023
No data available
|
--
2022
No data available
|
$342,337 2021
JapanOECD-DAC donor
Total contribution:$342,337
Development:$0(0%)
Humanitarian:$342,337(100%)
|
--
2020
No data available
|
--
2019
No data available
|
| African Development Bank | $35,943 2023
African Development BankInternational financial institution
Total contribution:$35,943
Development:$35,943(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
$35,943 2022
African Development BankInternational financial institution
Total contribution:$35,943
Development:$35,943(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
--
2021
No data available
|
--
2020
No data available
|
--
2019
No data available
|
| Canada | $89,071 2023
CanadaOECD-DAC donor
Total contribution:$89,071
Development:$89,071(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
$89,071 2022
CanadaOECD-DAC donor
Total contribution:$89,071
Development:$89,071(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
--
2021
No data available
|
--
2020
No data available
|
--
2019
No data available
|
| France | $1,365,461 2023
FranceOECD-DAC donor
Total contribution:$1,365,461
Development:$1,365,461(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
$1,365,461 2022
FranceOECD-DAC donor
Total contribution:$1,365,461
Development:$1,365,461(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
--
2021
No data available
|
--
2020
No data available
|
--
2019
No data available
|
| France National Committee | $10,923 2023
France National CommitteeNational Committee
Total contribution:$10,923
Development:$10,923(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
$10,923 2022
France National CommitteeNational Committee
Total contribution:$10,923
Development:$10,923(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
--
2021
No data available
|
--
2020
No data available
|
--
2019
No data available
|
| Norway | $365,993 2023
NorwayOECD-DAC donor
Total contribution:$365,993
Development:$365,993(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
$365,993 2022
NorwayOECD-DAC donor
Total contribution:$365,993
Development:$365,993(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
--
2021
No data available
|
--
2020
No data available
|
--
2019
No data available
|
| Republic of Korea (the) | $42,448 2023
Republic of Korea (the)OECD-DAC donor
Total contribution:$42,448
Development:$42,448(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
$42,448 2022
Republic of Korea (the)OECD-DAC donor
Total contribution:$42,448
Development:$42,448(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
--
2021
No data available
|
--
2020
No data available
|
--
2019
No data available
|
| United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification | $46,000 2023
United Nations Convention to Combat DesertificationUnited Nations pooled fund
Total contribution:$46,000
Development:$46,000(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
$46,000 2022
United Nations Convention to Combat DesertificationUnited Nations pooled fund
Total contribution:$46,000
Development:$46,000(100%)
Humanitarian:$0(0%)
|
--
2021
No data available
|
--
2020
No data available
|
--
2019
No data available
|
| United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) | $247,737 2023
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)United Nations organization
Total contribution:$247,737
Development:$115,623(47%)
Humanitarian:$132,114(53%)
|
$247,737 2022
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)United Nations organization
Total contribution:$247,737
Development:$115,623(47%)
Humanitarian:$132,114(53%)
|
--
2021
No data available
|
--
2020
No data available
|
--
2019
No data available
|
| United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office | $92,191 2023
United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund OfficeUnited Nations pooled fund
Total contribution:$92,191
Development:$0(0%)
Humanitarian:$92,191(100%)
|
$92,191 2022
United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund OfficeUnited Nations pooled fund
Total contribution:$92,191
Development:$0(0%)
Humanitarian:$92,191(100%)
|
--
2021
No data available
|
--
2020
No data available
|
--
2019
No data available
|
2023
Sweden$308,865
Total contribution$308,865
Development$308,865(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
Austria$163,961
Total contribution$163,961
Development$0(0%)
Humanitarian$163,961(100%)
African Development Bank$35,943
Total contribution$35,943
Development$35,943(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
Canada$89,071
Total contribution$89,071
Development$89,071(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
France$1,365,461
Total contribution$1,365,461
Development$1,365,461(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
France National Committee$10,923
Total contribution$10,923
Development$10,923(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
Norway$365,993
Total contribution$365,993
Development$365,993(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
Republic of Korea (the)$42,448
Total contribution$42,448
Development$42,448(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification$46,000
Total contribution$46,000
Development$46,000(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)$247,737
Total contribution$247,737
Development$115,623(47%)
Humanitarian$132,114(53%)
United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office$92,191
Total contribution$92,191
Development$0(0%)
Humanitarian$92,191(100%)
2022
Sweden$308,865
Total contribution$308,865
Development$308,865(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
Austria$163,961
Total contribution$163,961
Development$0(0%)
Humanitarian$163,961(100%)
African Development Bank$35,943
Total contribution$35,943
Development$35,943(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
Canada$89,071
Total contribution$89,071
Development$89,071(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
France$1,365,461
Total contribution$1,365,461
Development$1,365,461(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
France National Committee$10,923
Total contribution$10,923
Development$10,923(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
Norway$365,993
Total contribution$365,993
Development$365,993(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
Republic of Korea (the)$42,448
Total contribution$42,448
Development$42,448(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification$46,000
Total contribution$46,000
Development$46,000(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)$247,737
Total contribution$247,737
Development$115,623(47%)
Humanitarian$132,114(53%)
United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office$92,191
Total contribution$92,191
Development$0(0%)
Humanitarian$92,191(100%)
2021
Sweden$238,488
Total contribution$238,488
Development$238,488(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
Austria$553,753
Total contribution$553,753
Development$0(0%)
Humanitarian$553,753(100%)
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)$10,555
Total contribution$10,555
Development$10,555(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)$134,469
Total contribution$134,469
Development$134,469(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
Ireland$89,682
Total contribution$89,682
Development$89,682(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
Japan$342,337
Total contribution$342,337
Development$0(0%)
Humanitarian$342,337(100%)
2020
Sweden$508,397
Total contribution$508,397
Development$508,397(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
Austria$245,012
Total contribution$245,012
Development$0(0%)
Humanitarian$245,012(100%)
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)$92,500
Total contribution$92,500
Development$92,500(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)$54,074
Total contribution$54,074
Development$54,074(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)
2019
Sweden$218,896
Total contribution$218,896
Development$218,896(100%)
Humanitarian$0(0%)