Story by Lisa Masuku
PROCUREMENT has been identified as important in promoting regional collaboration under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The 3rd Annual Public Procurement Symposium, which brought together procurement professionals from various African countries like Zimbabwe, Botswana and Kenya was held in Bulawayo this Tuesday by the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) under the theme: ‘The future of public procurement- Emerging trends and opportunities.’
In his remarks at the two day third annual symposium, guest speaker, Secretary and Chief Executive Officer for the Kenya Institute of Supplies Examination Board, Dr Fred Ongisa said procurement is important in facilitating cross border trade, among African nations especially leveraging on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Procurement is important in cross-border trade in terms of the African Continental Free Trade Area, COMESA and SADC region,” he said.
The procurement sector in Zimbabwe is already taking advantage of emerging technologies as shown by the introduction of the Electronic Government Procurement System (e-GP).
In terms of digital transformation, emerging technologies have helped promote ethical procurement through systems like the Electronic Government Procurement (EGP) System.
PRAZ adopted the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system as part of efforts to minimise corruption and interface in public procurement.
