Unilever, SupplierGATEWAY launch social procurement in Nigeria

In line with its vision of making sustainable living commonplace, Unilever Nigeria has partnered with SupplierGATEWAY to launch its social procurement initiative aimed at increasing investment on female and disability owned businesses in Nigeria.

SupplierGATEWAY is a provider of globally recognised Enhanced Digital Certification® (EDC) that ensures everyone, including women and people with disabilities are exposed to new opportunities to fly high in their business without any gender or disability barricade.

Carl Cruz, managing director, Unilever West Africa, at the launch said the Social Procurement in Unilever Nigeria is part of the company’s global commitment to invest in diverse businesses worldwide. “We class businesses as diverse if they are at least 51 percent owned, managed, and controlled by groups underrepresented in business, such as women, people with disabilities, ethnic and racial or other minority groups.”

Unilever is collaborating with SupplierGATEWAY to provide Enhanced Digital Certification to Nigeria’s diverse business owners, Cruz said, adding that, “SupplierGATEWAY will aid in the certification of businesses owned by women and people with disabilities in Nigeria. This is part of our Equity Diversity and Inclusion journey to contribute to a fairer, and more socially inclusive world. We are also pleased to have WIMBIZ, United Nations Global Compact Nigeria Network and Nigeria Business Disability Network as our support partners on this initiative.”

Ade Solaru, chief executive officer, SupplierGATEWAY, welcomed Unilever’s support and vision on sustainability to make a positive socioeconomic impact through the initiative.

“Unilever’s vision has enabled us to deliver on our equity, diversity, and inclusion objectives by engaging with more diverse suppliers than ever before. Unilever is actively improving their capabilities in delivering on their corporate objectives,” Solaru said.

Obinna Emenyonu, procurement director, Unilever Nigeria, speaking on the company’s resolve to empower women and people with disabilities, said the company will continue to take deliberate steps to ensure its supply chain is more diverse and inclusive.

“Through this initiative, we want to break the biases against women and people with disabilities in business. These biases are stopping them from maximising their full potential,” said Obinna.

Panellists during the discussion session applauded Unilever and SupplierGATEWAY for the initiative, describing it as a major game changer in Nigeria’s business ecosystem.