By Cynthia Pelagia Guma
Harare, (New Ziana) – The Government has launched an ambitious roadmap to modernise Zimbabwe’s public procurement system following the release of the Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS) report, with reforms expected to enhance transparency, efficiency and value for public expenditure.
Speaking at the launch of the MAPS report, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya, said the assessment provides Government with a practical blueprint to strengthen procurement systems in line with international standards while advancing national development priorities.
The event was organised by the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ).
Dr Rushwaya said the assessment examined Zimbabwe’s procurement system against four internationally recognised pillars: the legal and regulatory framework, institutional capacity and management, procurement operations and market practices, as well as accountability, integrity and transparency.
He said the report acknowledges significant progress made since the enactment of the Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act and the establishment of PRAZ, while also identifying areas requiring urgent reform.
“The assessment should not be viewed as a verdict of failure, rather it is a broad measure of excellence, providing Government with a practical procurement reform agenda founded upon evidence, international best practices and our own national development aspirations,” said Dr Rushwaya.
Among the key weaknesses identified are excessive reliance on direct procurement, limited legal recognition of electronic government procurement, inadequate access to finance for suppliers and the absence of a comprehensive sustainable public procurement policy.
The report also highlights the need to strengthen procurement planning, contract management, market analysis, digital integration and the professional capacity of procurement practitioners across Government.
Dr Rushwaya said Government is committed to implementing a comprehensive procurement reform programme that will establish a modern, transparent, technology-driven and professionally managed procurement system aligned with international best practices.
“Every recommendation must translate into measurable institutional action. Every ministry, department and agency represented here today has a role to play as we move from diagnosis to implementation,” he said.
He announced that Government will accelerate the digital transformation of public procurement by expanding the electronic Government Procurement (eGP) system into a fully integrated platform covering procurement planning, supplier registration, bidding, contract management, payment processing and data analytics.
Dr Rushwaya also stressed the need to professionalise procurement, describing it as a highly specialised discipline requiring expertise in economics, engineering, finance, commercial law, project and risk management.
He said Government would strengthen continuous professional development and certification for procurement practitioners while institutionalising evidence-based procurement planning across ministries, local authorities, constitutional commissions and State-owned enterprises.
In line with the National Development Strategy 2, Dr Rushwaya said procurement reforms would also promote greater participation of local businesses, youth and women-owned enterprises through simplified bidding procedures, improved access to affordable finance and sustainable procurement policies that support environmental protection and inclusive economic growth.
“Public procurement represents one of Government’s most powerful instruments for supporting economic transformation, empowering small and medium enterprises, promoting youth and women-owned businesses and expanding opportunities for historically marginalised communities,” he said.
Dr Rushwaya said Government would regularly monitor procurement performance against international benchmarks to ensure public resources are managed efficiently and contribute directly to improved institutional performance and national development.
New Ziana
