‘GRP key to inclusive growth, women’s empowerment’
ARUSHA: GENDER-RESPONSIVE Procurement (GRP) is emerging as a key driver of inclusive economic growth, promoting fair competition and supporting work-life balance, as increasingly competitive procurement systems create opportunities for broader participation and equitable access in both public and private sector contracts.
The call was made in Arusha during the 16th Annual Conference of the Procurement and Supplies Professionals and Technicians Board (PSPTB), where stakeholders emphasised enhancing professionalism and promoting inclusivity in the procurement sector to ensure equitable access, competitive practices and broader economic participation.
During the conference, ASNL Advisory Board CoFounder and Managing Partner Humphrey Simba urged public and private sector institutions to adopt GenderResponsive Procurement (GRP) as a sustainable strategy to advance women’s economic empowerment and foster equitable participation in procurement opportunities.
“As the procurement industry grows increasingly competitive, deliberate efforts are essential to ensure that both men and women are included, making gender responsive procurement a key driver of equitable economic growth,” he said.
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He explained that GenderResponsive Procurement (GRP) plays a critical role in dismantling the structural and systemic barriers that have traditionally limited women entrepreneurs’ access to procurement opportunities.
“Gender-responsive procurement helps dismantle long-standing barriers that have limited women entrepreneurs from accessing contracts, offering a sustainable pathway to economic empowerment by enhancing market access and enabling equitable participation in competitive procurement opportunities,” he said.
Mr Simba highlighted that the effective implementation of Gender-Responsive Procurement (GRP) generates wide-ranging benefits, not only by boosting women’s participation in economic activities but also by fostering social inclusion, promoting equitable workplace practices, and strengthening governance and transparency within procurement systems.
Economically, he explained, GenderResponsive Procurement (GRP) drives tangible benefits by increasing income and financial independence for women entrepreneurs, stimulating job creation, boosting GDP and expanding the participation of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the formal economy, thereby promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
From a social perspective, he noted that GenderResponsive Procurement (GRP) contributes to poverty reduction, improves health outcomes for families and communities, and enhances children’s access to education, particularly in households where women’s increased earnings strengthen household welfare and long-term human capital development.
Evidence indicates that when women earn more, the positive effects extend beyond individual households to entire communities. Women are more likely to invest their income in children’s education, healthcare, and overall family well-being, which leads to improved human capital and long-term societal development.
This pattern highlights that women’s economic empowerment is not merely a matter of equity; it functions as a catalyst for broader social progress, demonstrating that policies supporting women’s earnings generate measurable benefits for families and communities alike. On the governance front, Mr Simba highlights that the Governance Reform Programme (GRP) plays a crucial role in reinforcing the integrity of public procurement systems by mitigating corruption risks.
This connection underscores the dual advantage of gender inclusion: Promoting ethical practices in governance while fostering inclusive economic growth. Collectively, these insights suggest that empowering women contributes simultaneously to improved social outcomes and more effective, credible public institutions.
He added that a more diverse supplier base enhances value for money and increases public trust in procurement processes. However, he cautioned that the effective implementation of GRP continues to face challenges, including bribery and sexual exploitation within tendering processes, which undermine transparency and fairness in both public and private sector procurement.
In conclusion, Mr Simba who also played a key role in the establishment of Women in Procurement and Supply Chain – Tanzania (WIPSCT), stressed that genderresponsive procurement remains a powerful policy and operational tool for driving inclusive growth and advancing women’s economic
