This policy brief presents evidence-informed pathways for advancing locally led humanitarian operations in East Africa, with a particular focus on the role of supply chains as both an operational backbone and a site of power within the humanitarian system. It is grounded in a Thought Leadership process convened by HELP Logistics that brought together senior regional practitioners from local NGOs, international organisations, donors, and private sector–adjacent actors. Drawing on pre-workshop surveys, in-depth interviews, and a two-day regional workshop in Nairobi, the brief synthesises practitioner perspectives on why localisation commitments have struggled to translate into practice.
Key findings
Three interlocking challenges are identified: persistent power asymmetries that exclude local actors from strategic decision-making; internal capacity constraints driven by chronic underinvestment in systems and people; and rigid donor frameworks that prioritise compliance and risk aversion over long-term institutional resilience. In response, the brief outlines seven strategic priorities to reposition local actors as system leaders rather than downstream implementers. These include transforming funding models to enable flexible, multi-year financing; building enabling policy and regulatory environments; redefining the role of international NGOs and UN agencies toward co-governance; strengthening internal systems of local organisations; localising supply chain governance; and expanding the humanitarian ecosystem to include private sector and informal actors with strong social legitimacy.
A core argument of the brief is that supply chains are not neutral technical functions, but governance structures that shape visibility, authority, and access to resources. Localising humanitarian action therefore requires intentional shifts in how supply chains are designed, financed, and governed.
The brief concludes with targeted advocacy messages and actionable recommendations for donors, international organisations, local actors, governments, and development partners. Together, these pathways aim to move localisation from principle to practice, positioning locally led supply chains as a foundation for more accountable, effective, and sustainable humanitarian response in East Africa.