Business & Economy
5 min read
How to Register for AGPO (Access to Government Procurement Opportunities) in Kenya
KenyaHowTo Team
April 20, 2025
The Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) program is a government initiative in Kenya aimed at empowering youth, women, and persons with disabilities by giving them access to 30% of government procurement opportunities. This affirmative action policy was rolled out to support inclusive economic growth and promote equal participation in national development. Understanding how to register for AGPO is essential for individuals and businesses that wish to take advantage of this opportunity. This article provides a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to register for AGPO in Kenya.
To begin with, it is crucial to understand who qualifies for AGPO registration. The program is open to Kenyan citizens who are either youth (18-35 years), women of any age, or persons living with disabilities. These groups must register a business, company, or enterprise and ensure that the ownership structure reflects at least 70% control by the qualifying group. This means that a youth-owned business must have 70% or more youth ownership, and the same applies to women and persons with disabilities.
The next step is to register a business or company. For AGPO purposes, eligible individuals can register a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, or any other form of enterprise recognized under Kenyan law. Registration can be done online through the eCitizen portal, which provides access to business name searches, registration, and issuance of the Business Registration Certificate. A valid business name or company registration is mandatory for AGPO application.
Once the business is registered, the applicant must obtain a Tax Compliance Certificate. This certificate is issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and serves as proof that the business is tax compliant. The application for a Tax Compliance Certificate is made through the KRA’s iTax platform. The business must have an active Personal Identification Number (PIN) and regularly file tax returns to qualify. It’s important to ensure that the business has no outstanding tax liabilities.
Following this, the business must obtain a Certificate of Registration with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) if the applicant falls under the PWD category. This certificate validates that the owner is officially recognized as a person with a disability in Kenya. Registration can be completed at any NCPWD office or through the online portal provided by the council. For youth and women, no additional certification is needed other than valid identification documents such as national IDs or passports.
The applicant must also provide identification documents of the business owners. For individuals, this includes copies of national ID cards or passports, while for registered companies, additional documents such as CR12 from the Registrar of Companies are required. CR12 is an official confirmation that shows the shareholding and directorship of a company, confirming the ownership structure meets the AGPO criteria.
A valid business permit from the county government is also required. This document shows that the business is authorized to operate in a specific county or location. Each county has its own procedures for issuing business permits, so the business owner must visit the respective county offices or use available online platforms. A business permit ensures the enterprise complies with local regulations and is lawfully operating.
With all these documents in hand, the business owner can now proceed to the AGPO registration portal. The AGPO website (https://agpo.go.ke) is the official platform for all applications. The applicant must create an account, log in, and complete the online registration form. During this process, all relevant documents must be uploaded in the required format. It is vital to ensure that scanned copies are clear and legible to avoid application rejection.
After submitting the application, the system generates an AGPO certificate if all requirements are met. This certificate is usually valid for two years, after which renewal is necessary. The certificate allows the business to participate in government tenders set aside for youth, women, and persons with disabilities. It is important to note that holding an AGPO certificate does not automatically award tenders but enables the business to compete for designated opportunities.
Once registered, businesses should regularly monitor government procurement portals for new tenders. Platforms such as the Public Procurement Information Portal (Tenders.go.ke), various ministry websites, and county government portals frequently post procurement opportunities. It is advisable to subscribe to tender alerts and newsletters to stay updated on available opportunities.
It is also recommended to maintain compliance throughout the certificate’s validity period. This includes timely renewal of business permits, tax compliance, and updating any changes in ownership structure or business details. Non-compliance can result in disqualification from participating in procurement opportunities or the revocation of the AGPO certificate.
Additionally, businesses can increase their chances of success by developing professional profiles, preparing accurate bid documents, and attending procurement training sessions offered by various government agencies and procurement professionals. These capacity-building programs are designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of AGPO-registered businesses in bidding for and managing government contracts.
Participating in AGPO also requires an understanding of procurement laws and ethics. Familiarizing oneself with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015, and related regulations helps ensure that the business complies with tendering procedures. It also safeguards against engaging in fraudulent practices, which can lead to blacklisting or prosecution.
In conclusion, registering for AGPO is a straightforward process that offers significant benefits to youth, women, and persons with disabilities in Kenya. By following the steps outlined above—qualifying, registering a business, obtaining necessary documents, applying online, and maintaining compliance—eligible individuals can position themselves to benefit from government procurement opportunities. The initiative is a valuable tool for economic empowerment and inclusive development, and those who meet the criteria should take full advantage of it.
To begin with, it is crucial to understand who qualifies for AGPO registration. The program is open to Kenyan citizens who are either youth (18-35 years), women of any age, or persons living with disabilities. These groups must register a business, company, or enterprise and ensure that the ownership structure reflects at least 70% control by the qualifying group. This means that a youth-owned business must have 70% or more youth ownership, and the same applies to women and persons with disabilities.
The next step is to register a business or company. For AGPO purposes, eligible individuals can register a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, or any other form of enterprise recognized under Kenyan law. Registration can be done online through the eCitizen portal, which provides access to business name searches, registration, and issuance of the Business Registration Certificate. A valid business name or company registration is mandatory for AGPO application.
Once the business is registered, the applicant must obtain a Tax Compliance Certificate. This certificate is issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and serves as proof that the business is tax compliant. The application for a Tax Compliance Certificate is made through the KRA’s iTax platform. The business must have an active Personal Identification Number (PIN) and regularly file tax returns to qualify. It’s important to ensure that the business has no outstanding tax liabilities.
Following this, the business must obtain a Certificate of Registration with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) if the applicant falls under the PWD category. This certificate validates that the owner is officially recognized as a person with a disability in Kenya. Registration can be completed at any NCPWD office or through the online portal provided by the council. For youth and women, no additional certification is needed other than valid identification documents such as national IDs or passports.
The applicant must also provide identification documents of the business owners. For individuals, this includes copies of national ID cards or passports, while for registered companies, additional documents such as CR12 from the Registrar of Companies are required. CR12 is an official confirmation that shows the shareholding and directorship of a company, confirming the ownership structure meets the AGPO criteria.
A valid business permit from the county government is also required. This document shows that the business is authorized to operate in a specific county or location. Each county has its own procedures for issuing business permits, so the business owner must visit the respective county offices or use available online platforms. A business permit ensures the enterprise complies with local regulations and is lawfully operating.
With all these documents in hand, the business owner can now proceed to the AGPO registration portal. The AGPO website (https://agpo.go.ke) is the official platform for all applications. The applicant must create an account, log in, and complete the online registration form. During this process, all relevant documents must be uploaded in the required format. It is vital to ensure that scanned copies are clear and legible to avoid application rejection.
After submitting the application, the system generates an AGPO certificate if all requirements are met. This certificate is usually valid for two years, after which renewal is necessary. The certificate allows the business to participate in government tenders set aside for youth, women, and persons with disabilities. It is important to note that holding an AGPO certificate does not automatically award tenders but enables the business to compete for designated opportunities.
Once registered, businesses should regularly monitor government procurement portals for new tenders. Platforms such as the Public Procurement Information Portal (Tenders.go.ke), various ministry websites, and county government portals frequently post procurement opportunities. It is advisable to subscribe to tender alerts and newsletters to stay updated on available opportunities.
It is also recommended to maintain compliance throughout the certificate’s validity period. This includes timely renewal of business permits, tax compliance, and updating any changes in ownership structure or business details. Non-compliance can result in disqualification from participating in procurement opportunities or the revocation of the AGPO certificate.
Additionally, businesses can increase their chances of success by developing professional profiles, preparing accurate bid documents, and attending procurement training sessions offered by various government agencies and procurement professionals. These capacity-building programs are designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of AGPO-registered businesses in bidding for and managing government contracts.
Participating in AGPO also requires an understanding of procurement laws and ethics. Familiarizing oneself with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015, and related regulations helps ensure that the business complies with tendering procedures. It also safeguards against engaging in fraudulent practices, which can lead to blacklisting or prosecution.
In conclusion, registering for AGPO is a straightforward process that offers significant benefits to youth, women, and persons with disabilities in Kenya. By following the steps outlined above—qualifying, registering a business, obtaining necessary documents, applying online, and maintaining compliance—eligible individuals can position themselves to benefit from government procurement opportunities. The initiative is a valuable tool for economic empowerment and inclusive development, and those who meet the criteria should take full advantage of it.
