Story by Gay Matambo
THE Electronic Government Procurement (eGP) system has been hailed as not merely a technological upgrade, but a demonstration of the government’s commitment to efficiency, fairness, and transparency in the management of public funds.
Speaking at the official opening of the 2025 Public Procurement Electronic Government Procurement Summit in Masvingo, the Deputy Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Honourable Kudakwashe Mnangagwa, underscored the importance of the system in transforming public procurement processes.
“|It is not the sole domain of the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe or procurement officers, but involves the active participation of ICT specialists, auditors, risk management officers, monitoring and evaluation officers and heads of procurement management units. To our ICT Specialists, you are the architects and custodians of the eGP’s digital infrastructure. Your vigilance against cyber threats and commitment to system stability are indispensable to maintaining trust and functionality,” he said.
Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) Chief Executive Officer, Mr Clever Ruswa, said embracing the eGP system aligns with Zimbabwe’s broader development agenda, reinforcing political will and institutional capacity to uphold world-class standards of transparency and accountability.
“The benefits of this digital transition extend far beyond operational efficiency; they touch upon our core national values and global responsibilities. It champions sustainability by drastically reducing the paper and consumables used in traditional procurement. It minimises our carbon footprint through less fuel consumption and reduced travel times for our suppliers and officials. This shift is not only environmentally sound but also promotes greater convenience and inclusivity, allowing SMEs from across the country to participate in public procurement with fewer barriers to entry,” he said.
The summit brought together stakeholders from across the public and private sectors to discuss progress and challenges in rolling out the eGP system, which is expected to streamline procurement processes, improve accountability, and build public trust in Government spending.
The e-government procurement system, first launched in 2023, was developed to replace the traditional paper-based processes that were often slow, costly, and vulnerable to abuse.
Built on international best practices, the system is designed to centralise tendering, standardise procedures across government departments, and provide real-time monitoring of procurement activities.
