Our team representative Dowole Gold Moyinoluwa participated in the two-day capacity training on “Promoting Women Inclusion in Public Procurement” organized by @ekitistatebureauofpublicprocurement in partnership with Open Contracting Partnership, held 19th _20th December 2022 at All Saint Conference Hall Adehun, Ado-Ekiti.

The facilitators enlightened the participants on the open contracting data standard(OCDS) and how it can address procurement challenges while stating the opportunities that exist in fully utilizing the Ekiti state OCDS portal. Gender inclusiveness in public procurement, analyzing procurement, improving procurement practices, navigating the procurement portal, and procedures for registration with necessary regulation bodies were also discussed.

Participants were grouped into three syndicates to act out a solution to women’s inclusion and engagement in public procurement.

Essential materials were shared, such as the Ekiti state Bureau of Public Procurement 2019 annual report, Ekiti state Bureau of Public Procurement Enactment Law, 2020, etc.

It was an informative training. Women-led and owned businesses are not left behind in public procurement in Ekiti if they meet up with the requirements. However, there is a need for improvement in information dissemination and an increase in the number of women being awarded contracts in the state.

We encourage women-led and owed businesses in Ekiti to make themselves visible by registering their businesses with appropriate regulatory bodies and ensuring their necessary documents are up to date to be considered for contracts.