Article: Stakeholder engagement and sustainable procurement among multinational enterprises in developing countries: a case of Nigeria and Kenya Journal: International Journal of Procurement Management (IJPM) 2026 Vol.25 No.5 pp.1 - 32 Abstract: Sustainable procurement (SP) serves as a strategic lever within sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), with a significant role in environmental sustainability. Nevertheless, empirical research on SP is limited, especially from developing African countries. This research investigates the role of stakeholders in promoting SP practices among multinational enterprises (MNEs) operating in Africa. The qualitative study is guided by abductive reasoning and incorporates semi-structured interviews with representatives and stakeholders of MNEs operating in Nigeria and Kenya. The findings reveal that SP can be a product of coercive relationships resulting from a power imbalance between actors. MNEs in Africa leverage dominant buyer power to enforce sustainability compliance from suppliers through contractual mechanisms. The findings offer insights into the dynamic interplay between internal and external stakeholders as it relates to SP to inform sustainable practices in developing countries. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Stakeholder engagement and sustainable procurement among multinational enterprises in developing countries: a case of Nigeria and Kenya

Authors: Ezenwanyi Elizabeth Edgal; Vincent Odhiambo Achola; Anne-Maria Holma

Addresses: Strategic Business Development (SBD) Group, University of Vaasa Finland, Finland ' Department of Logistics, Purchasing and Supply Management, University of Stuttgart, Germany ' Strategic Business Development (SBD) Group, University of Vaasa Finland, Finland

Abstract: Sustainable procurement (SP) serves as a strategic lever within sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), with a significant role in environmental sustainability. Nevertheless, empirical research on SP is limited, especially from developing African countries. This research investigates the role of stakeholders in promoting SP practices among multinational enterprises (MNEs) operating in Africa. The qualitative study is guided by abductive reasoning and incorporates semi-structured interviews with representatives and stakeholders of MNEs operating in Nigeria and Kenya. The findings reveal that SP can be a product of coercive relationships resulting from a power imbalance between actors. MNEs in Africa leverage dominant buyer power to enforce sustainability compliance from suppliers through contractual mechanisms. The findings offer insights into the dynamic interplay between internal and external stakeholders as it relates to SP to inform sustainable practices in developing countries.

Keywords: multinational enterprises; MNEs; stakeholder engagement; sustainable procurement; manufacturing; developing countries; Nigeria; Kenya.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPM.2026.153918

International Journal of Procurement Management, 2026 Vol.25 No.5, pp.1 - 32

Received: 18 Nov 2025
Accepted: 15 Mar 2026
Published online: 29 May 2026 *

Title: Stakeholder engagement and sustainable procurement among multinational enterprises in developing countries: a case of Nigeria and Kenya

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