I&M Bank has partnered with the United Nations Global Compact Network Kenya (UNGC Kenya) to strengthen sustainability practices among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within its supplier network.
The fully sponsored Supplier Sustainability Capacity Building Programme will equip the bank’s SME vendors with practical environmental, social and governance (ESG) tools to help them identify sustainability gaps, improve responsible business practices and build more resilient enterprises.
Programme Targets SME Suppliers
The initiative officially kicks off on Friday, August 21, with a half-day physical workshop in Nairobi bringing together sustainability experts, business leaders and SMEs.
The launch session, themed “Conducting Responsible Business,” will examine how responsible business practices can help enterprises improve resilience, competitiveness and long-term sustainability.
Following the launch, participating suppliers will undertake a 6–8-week hybrid capacity-building programme facilitated by the UN Global Compact Network Kenya.
The programme will cover social and governance considerations, as well as environmental and climate action, through a series of virtual sessions.
SMEs to Receive ESG Tools
A key component of the programme will be practical support to help suppliers assess their current sustainability performance.
Participating SMEs will receive ESG self-assessment tools and improvement roadmaps, enabling them to identify gaps, strengthen internal practices and progressively align with I&M Bank’s procurement standards and wider ESG expectations.
The approach shifts the focus from simply requiring suppliers to meet sustainability standards to helping them develop the capacity needed to meet those expectations.
Building a Resilient Supply Chain
Speaking during the launch, I&M Bank Group Chief Financial Officer David Ngata, said strengthening suppliers is a critical to building a resilient business ecosystem.
“A resilient Bank requires a resilient ecosystem around it. By investing in the sustainability capabilities of our SME suppliers, we are helping businesses strengthen their governance, better manage environmental and social risks, and position themselves for long-term growth. This is about going beyond setting expectations for our suppliers to building the capability that enables them and our wider value chain to grow responsibly and competitively,” said Ngata
UN Global Compact Backs SME Sustainability
UN Global Compact Network Kenya Executive Director Judy Njino, said SMEs have an important role to play in advancing responsible and sustainable business practices in Kenya.
“Through this programme, suppliers will gain practical knowledge, tools and actionable roadmaps to strengthen their environmental, social, and governance performance. “said Njinu
According to Njino, embedding sustainability into SME operations can improve resilience and competitiveness while opening up new business opportunities and strengthening responsible value chains.
Call for Supplier Applications
The partnership combines I&M Bank’s understanding of its supplier ecosystem with UN Global Compact Network Kenya’s expertise in sustainability capacity building.
The initiative forms part of I&M Bank’s broader responsible procurement and sustainable business agenda, with the bank seeking to extend sustainability practices beyond its own operations and throughout its value chain.
I&M Bank will issue a Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) inviting eligible vendors to register for the fully sponsored programme.
The initiative comes as businesses face growing expectations to demonstrate responsible environmental, social and governance practices, making sustainability capabilities increasingly important for SMEs seeking to remain competitive and participate in modern supply chains.