Workplace Innovation: Okeba’s Return on Investment in Childcare

The private sector increasingly recognizes opportunities to include and empower women in the workplace. This series of case studies seeks to close evidence and guidance gaps to measure the return on investment (ROI) of women-inclusive business strategies for small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Each case study follows the Women-Inclusive Return on Investment (WI-ROI) Framework and documents a company's inclusive investment (or intervention), the business model of the investment, the data and process used to calculate the WI-ROI, and key lessons learned. These cases aim to support development practitioners' alignment with the incentives of SMEs and other private-sector actors in LMICs. By understanding and calculating a WI-ROI, practitioners can help accelerate inclusive growth that benefits both women and firms.

This case study focuses on Okeba in Uganda. It examines how providing onsite childcare helped create a women-inclusive workplace while delivering financial returns for the SME. Comparing the original business model (without childcare services) to this women-centric approach shows how the latter reduces labor costs while increasing profitability for Okeba.

Source: USAID
Year: 2024