Kaduna to include women in all procurement processes

The Kaduna state government has adopted a gender responsive public procurement policy.

In a statement on Wednesday, Ibraheem Musa, the chief press secretary to Uba Sani, governor of the state, said the policy was approved on Tuesday during the executive council meeting. 

Musa said the policy, developed in collaboration with UN Women and other stakeholders, aims to increase the participation of women-owned and women-led businesses in public procurement processes.

He explained that it aligns with the governor’s economic empowerment agenda.

“The Gender Responsive Public Procurement seeks to bridge the gender gap by enabling the equitable economic participation of women-owned and women-led cooperatives,” he said.

He also noted that the policy mandates the inclusion of women in procurement committees, with at least one woman required at the directorate level in all committees.

“At least one woman should be included at the directorate level in all procurement committees,” Musa added.

The chief press secretary highlighted financial incentives for women-owned businesses.

“The policy grants a complete waiver of registration fees for businesses that are 100% women-owned,” he said.

“It also provides a 50% reduction in tender fees for enterprises that are 100% women-owned.”

Musa stated that the executive council had directed all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) in the state to implement the policy in their procurement processes.

He added that the council also approved the establishment of five sector strategic teams aimed at improving coordination across state ministries.

“The teams are expected to achieve more effective governance and delivery of programs and projects, in line with Governor Uba Sani’s Seven-point agenda. They would be headed by senior government officials,” he said.

“The teams include the Rural Transformation and Urban Development Sector Strategic Team, Human Capital Development and Social Investment Sector Strategic Team, Governance and Institutions Sector Strategic Team, Economic Development and Monitoring Sector Strategic Team, as well as the Peace, Security, and Public Safety Strategic Team.

“The teams will meet weekly, with each chair briefing the governor on their resolutions.”