NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 15 – The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), the world’s largest professional body for procurement and supply, has officially opened its CIPS UK Kenya office in Nairobi, strengthening its commitment to advancing procurement and supply management across Kenya and East Africa.
The launch, held at a Nairobi hotel attended by chief procurement officers, supply chain leaders, regulators, academics and corporate partners, was led by CIPS Global Chief Executive Ben Farrell, MBE.
“We’re here, we’re here to stay, and we’re firmly committed to the professionalisation of procurement across this continent,” Farrell told guests, highlighting CIPS’ long-term commitment to developing the profession.
He also announced that Nairobi will host a Pan-African procurement conference on March 2-3, 2027, bringing together procurement and supply professionals from across the continent.
Strengthening partnerships in Kenya
The office opening followed a week of engagements aimed at strengthening the procurement profession in Kenya.
Earlier in the week, Farrell addressed the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) conference in Mombasa, following which CIPS and KISM signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration and professional development within the procurement profession.
CIPS also held discussions with the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) on professionalisation and the adoption of global standards in public procurement.
Supporting organisations across East Africa
CIPS East Africa General Manager Letticia Nkumbula said the Nairobi office will provide a local platform for supporting professionals and organisations across East Africa.
“Kenya is the gateway to every corner of East Africa. Organisations that want a presence in the region start by looking at Kenya, and so did we,” she said.
The office will provide access to CIPS qualifications, membership, corporate programmes and professional development, while supporting organisations to strengthen procurement capability and professional standards.
CIPS Business Development Manager Gladys Gacheru said the organisation’s work goes beyond qualifications to helping employers assess capability, identify skills gaps and strengthen professional standards.
“Procurement is increasingly a function that enables growth, resilience and innovation, and enables organisations to compete,” she said.
Promoting ethical procurement
Ethics and professional standards remain central to CIPS’ work. At the Nairobi launch, Absa Bank Kenya, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) Kenya and KCB Bank Kenya were awarded the CIPS Corporate Ethical Kite Mark in recognition of their commitment to embedding ethical procurement practices within their organisations.
The recognition highlights the growing importance of integrity, transparency and responsible decision-making across procurement and supply chains.
Preparing for the future
The Nairobi launch also coincided with CIPS’ global“Great Conversation”, a consultation examining the future skills and competencies required by the procurement profession as organisations respond to geopolitical disruption, supply-chain resilience, sustainability, technology and artificial intelligence.
Mr Farrell said the profession is being reshaped as organisations place greater responsibility on procurement leaders to ensure continuity, resilience and value.
“Where cost was a primary driver for supply, people are now talking about resilience, both in the private and public sectors,” he said.
He urged procurement professionals to take greater ownership of their organisations’ outcomes, saying: It is time to own the outcome.”
The opening of the CIPS UK Kenya office marks a significant investment in Kenya and provides a stronger local platform for supporting procurement professionals and organisations across East Africa.
