Inclusive Supply Chains

Supply chains are an important lever for the private sector to create positive and sustainable impact. This includes supporting the growth of women-owned/-led suppliers, distributors, and retailers, and investing in women’s employment and leadership across the supply chain. It also includes supporting low income and underserved individuals – people often referred to as being at the base of the economic pyramid – to access goods and services or integrate into supply chains as entrepreneurs. A significant percentage of world trade passes through global supply chains, creating millions of jobs.

Building diverse and inclusive supply chains creates employment, entrepreneurial, and leadership opportunities for disadvantaged groups. At the same time, it advances greater corporate resilience and responsible business practices that can compete in today’s complex environment of supply disruptions and evolving customer preferences.

IFC’s Roadmap 2030 for Gender Equality and Economic Inclusion highlights inclusive supply chains as a key priority and focuses on facilitating greater access to opportunities across the supply chain by partnering with clients to accelerate the growth of women entrepreneurs and businesses led by other marginalized groups, and enabling them to better participate in and benefit from economic opportunities throughout value chain.