Government Contracts That Pay Well: How to Qualify Locally & Internationally

Want to land high-paying government contracts that could transform your business income? From Kenya’s public tenders to UK procurement portals and US federal contracts, governments are some of the most reliable clients in the world. The best part? Many of these opportunities are open to local and international suppliers, and you don't always need a huge company to qualify.

Whether you're an SME, a solo consultant, or a supplier looking to expand, this guide walks you through how to qualify, where to apply, and what pays best.

1: Lucrative Government Contracts in Kenya

In Kenya, government contracts are published through platforms like [ Tenders.co.ke ]. You’ll find:

County tenders (construction, supply, ICT)
Parastatal procurement
AGPO opportunities for youth, women, and PWDs

How to qualify:

Register your business with eCitizen (Business Registration Services)
Get a KRA PIN and Tax Compliance Certificate
Join the Supplier Portal and keep your documents updated

Bonus Tip: Always look for prequalification notices — many ministries shortlist new suppliers annually.

2: UK Government Tenders – Where the Big Money Is

In the UK, all public procurement is published on the Contracts Finder website. These include:

Digital services (huge push in GovTech)
Facility management & logistics
Consultancy and research contracts

How to qualify:

Register on Contracts Finder
Get familiar with UK procurement frameworks (G-Cloud, Crown Commercial Services)
Meet supplier qualification thresholds (financial health, past experience, etc.)

3: US Federal Contracts – Billions Paid to Small Businesses

The United States government awards billions of dollars in contracts to small businesses every year through portals like SAM.gov and Grants.gov.

High-paying opportunities include:

Defence and logistics
Medical supplies
Software & cybersecurity
Construction & engineering

How to qualify:

Register your business on SAM.gov
Get a DUNS number and UEI
Understand Set-Aside Contracts for small or minority-owned businesses

💡 Note: Many of these contracts are open internationally — including for suppliers based in Africa, if compliance is met.

🔑 Final Tips: How to Increase Your Chances of Winning

Respond early: Submit applications before deadlines
Study tender documents thoroughly
Join bidder training or bootcamps — many are free or subsidised
Keep your paperwork sharp: Certificates, financials, references
Use multiple platforms: Don't just rely on one tender portal

📍 Where to Find Tenders in Kenya

We list updated tenders from ministries, counties, and NGOs on our platform:
👉 Visit here

You can also explore:

eCitizen portal
Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA)
NGO procurement boards

✅ In the End

Getting access to high-paying government contracts isn’t as hard as it seems — especially with the right strategy and tools. Whether you’re in Kenya, planning to export your services abroad, or want to try supplying to the UK or US, these opportunities can scale your business beyond belief.