Outcome RD_D_2.2

Access by women entrepreneurs to existing and emerging markets/procurement opportunities increased

In 2021, an increase by women entrepreneurs to access existing and emerging markets and procurement opportunities was realized. The Gender and Economic Growth Assessment in Kenya demonstrate that addressing gender barriers in Kenya could generate significant economic growth for the country. Women-owned businesses made a significant contribution to the Kenyan economy. Women businesses accounted for about one-half (48 per cent) of all micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which contributed around 20 per cent to Kenya's GDP. The reported value of tenders awarded to youth, women and PWD groups through public procurement was expected to go up by 16.0 per cent (KNBS Economic survey, 2021). In 2021, 257 institutions compared with 200institutions in 197 (AGPO secretariate reports) implemented affirmative procurement initiatives, monitored, and reported increased women’s access to procurement opportunities and compliance to women empowerment principles. This increase to access by women entrepreneurs can be attributed to the strategic partnership and collaboration between UN Women and with National Treasury through the AGPO program, Unstrereotype Alliance and WEPS. In 2021, the proportion of total loans to women-owned agricultural micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) rose from 6.2% in 2018/2019 to 14.1% in 2020/2021 through a strategic partnership with AFC. 800 women entrepreneurs were linked to markers and agri-finance through UN Women partnership with AFC. 100 trained women benefitted from AFC low-interest loans to start businesses through the women access affirmative window programme. In addition, 669 micro and small entrepreneurs affected by COVID-19 grew their business through Kes 5M revolving fund supported by UN Women. Through this, the revolving fund has grown to KES 6.5m by project end. Kenya launched the Women Economic Empowerment Strategy (2020-2025) with support from UN Women to increasing women’s access to economic resources and opportunities. UN Women supported the launch of the UA Kenyan chapter that has resulted in an improved business environment through a coalition with 8 private sector organizations by countering gender-based stereotypes in the advertising/marketing and media industry. UN Women also supported the enabling of the policy environment for women through the WEE policy review, Agriculture Gender Policy, AGPO bidders manual, AFC's Business Development Manual and Groots/GSWG memoranda to counties. 12 additional companies in Kenya made commitments on WEPS in 2021 to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace, and community. The total number of signatories grow to 49 and 5500 globally. As a result of the strengthened regional UN private sector collaboration, the WEPS challenge fund grew businesses of three female youth entrepreneurs through a USD 5,000 fund.

Access by women entrepreneurs to existing and emerging markets/procurement opportunities increased

There was an increase in the number of women entrepreneurs who accessed government procurement opportunities in 2022. There was a 20% increase in the value of procurement opportunities accessed by women through the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO)- from USD 298 million in FY2020/21 to USD 360 million in FY2021/22. 54.8% of the total AGPO procurement value went to women, while 37.7% and 7.5% went to youth and People with Disability (PWDs) respectively. The number of total AGPO tenders awarded in FY2021/22 increased by 22.5% and those awarded to women increased by 21%. Of the total 42,486 tenders awarded in FY2021/22, 40% went to the youth, 52% to women, and 8% to PWDs. Within this period and contributing to the result above, the simplified bidder’s handbook manual was finalized and disseminated with financial and technical support from UN Women. This is expected to address the complicated bidding processes cited by women, youth, and PWDs as the reason for low AGPO uptake. Additionally, UN Women in collaboration with the State Department for Gender ( SDfG ), the Council of Governors (COG), and the AGPO Secretariat, the capacity of four counties (Busia, West Pokot, Isiolo, and Narok ) to accelerate the uptake of AGPO was strengthened - including on AGPO reporting requirements as required by the National Treasury and Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA). During this reporting period, the 217 women trained in the four counties reported increased capacity to access, participate and benefit from AGPO because of training by UN Women. All the directors from the four counties also expressed increased capacity at the county level to comply with AGPO requirements and ultimately enhance AGPO uptake by Women, Youth, and PWDs. This is also evidenced by a 25% increase in the number of state agencies reporting on AGPO uptake. The four counties were targeted in 2022 due to their rural nature and low AGPO uptake. UN Women plans to upscale the AGPO work to other counties in future. As part of increasing women’s opportunities (work and business), the number of Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) signatories increased by 22% from 49 to 60 , thereby strengthening private sector engagement, reporting, and gender-responsive procurement. UN Women in collaboration with the Global Compact Network Kenya convened quarterly consultative, sensitization, training workshops, and recruitment drives to enhance the capacity of WEPs members and increase membership in the private sector. This was also undertaken under the auspice of the Unstereotype Alliance advocacy interventions that saw UN Women feature s in the June edition of the Marketing Africa Magazine. Lessons learned : When the AGPO secretariat provides agency-specific training and coaching on reporting requirements and processes, most government agencies can integrate this as part of their procurement SOP. This allows also for streamlined and standard reporting by all government agencies. Most WEPs signatories have struggled with their reporting requirements due to the complex nature of the global Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) reporting process/platform. Going forward, the focus should not only be on the recruitment of more WEPS members but also on tracking their implementation of the WEPs principles and enhancing their compliance with the reporting requirements.