Story by Yolanda Moyo
ADVANCING transparency and innovation in public procurement takes centre stage as Zimbabwe hosts the 5th General Assembly of the African Public Procurement Network (APPN) in Victoria Falls this month.
The high level gathering, set to run from 11 to 14 November, comes at a time the country is leading digital transformation through its Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system, positioning itself as a regional leader in modern, transparent, and accountable procurement practices.
Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) Chief Executive Officer Dr Clever Ruswa said as the current president of APPN, Zimbabwe’s hosting of the Assembly is a strong endorsement of its commitment to strengthening institutional capacity and promoting efficiency on the procurement landscape.
Running under the theme: “Transforming Public Procurement in Africa through Innovation, Inclusion, Sustainability, and Regional Collaboration,” the conference will focus on accelerating reforms that promote good governance and inclusive economic growth.
The event will also highlight the strategic role of procurement in driving the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The assembly is expected to yield practical outcomes, including new frameworks for digital procurement, enhanced regional cooperation, and renewed strategies for sustainability.
As public procurement represents a cornerstone of African economic development, accounting for approximately 17% of GDP continent-wide, the African Public Procurement Network (APPN) was established in Lomé, Togo, in 2018 to spearhead its modernisation.
