I&M Bank, in partnership with the United Nations Global Compact Network Kenya (UNGC Kenya), has launched a Supplier Sustainability Capacity Building Programme, a new initiative aimed at equipping the Bank’s SME vendor community with practical knowledge and tools to strengthen their environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.
The fully sponsored programme reflects I&M Bank’s commitment to building a more responsible and resilient supply chain by supporting suppliers to better understand sustainability, responsible business conduct and evolving ESG expectations.
The programme will officially kick off on Friday, 21 August 2026, with a half-day physical workshop in Nairobi featuring a panel discussion. The session themed “Conducting Responsible Business” will bring together sustainability experts, business leaders and SMEs to explore the role of responsible business practices in building resilient, competitive and future-ready enterprises.
Following the launch, participating suppliers will undertake a structured 6–8-week hybrid capacity-building programme, facilitated by the UN Global Compact Network Kenya team. Subsequent virtual sessions will provide deeper insights into Social & Governance considerations as well as Environmental & Climate Action.
Through the programme, participating SMEs will gain practical tools, including ESG self-assessments and improvement roadmaps, enabling them to identify sustainability gaps, strengthen their business practices and progressively align with I&M Bank’s procurement standards and broader ESG expectations.
Speaking during the official launch of the programme, Group Chief Financial Officer, I&M Bank, David Ngata said the programme represents an important step in embedding sustainability beyond the Bank’s own operations and across its wider value chain.
“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 David Ngata, Group Chief Financial Officer, I&M Bank.”
The partnership brings together I&M Bank’s deep understanding of its supplier ecosystem with UN Global Compact Kenya’s expertise in sustainability capacity building, reflecting a shared commitment to embedding responsible business practices across Kenya’s private sector.
Judy Njino, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Kenya, said: “SMEs play a critical role in Kenya’s economy and in advancing responsible and sustainable business practices. Through this programme, suppliers will gain practical knowledge, tools and actionable roadmaps to strengthen their environmental, social, and governance performance. By embedding sustainability into their operations, SMEs can enhance their resilience, improve competitiveness and unlock new opportunities while contributing meaningfully to sustainable development and responsible value chains.”
The Supplier Sustainability Capacity Building Programme forms part of I&M Bank’s broader commitment to responsible procurement and sustainable business practices. By investing in supplier capacity, the Bank aims to encourage sustainability throughout its value chain while enabling SMEs to respond more effectively to emerging ESG requirements and opportunities.
As part of the initiative, I&M Bank will issue a Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) inviting eligible vendors to register for the programme.
