TZ makes strides in public procurement transparency

ARUSHA: POLITICAL interference negatively affects accountability and transparency in the procurement processes and unless addressed many countries in Africa will continue to suffer losses in this sector.

That was stated by the Swedish Ambassador to Tanzania, Ms Charlotta Ozaki Marcias during the ongoing International Transparency and Accountability Conference (ITAC) 2024 taking place in Arusha.

She, however, pointed out that Tanzania is making significant strides, quoting the study on ‘Public Procurement Trajectories, 2023 report,’ which indicates that the implementation of public procurement laws and regulations in the country has improved transparency, accountability and fairness in the undertakings.

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On his part the Deputy Head of Mission, from the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Kjetil Schie said ordinary citizens have the right to be informed on all issues of public procurement procedures as they directly affect their lives.

Speaking at the conference, Nathan Belete, the Country Director World Bank said that if the procurement process is managed in a way that ensures transparency and integrity in how the evaluation process is handled, the chances that activities will be run in a more efficient manner.

The Chairperson of WAJIBU Institute of Public Accountability, a think tank organization, Mr Ludovick Utouh, said it is crucial to know that procurement takes about 70 per cent of our national budgets each year thus also important to discuss procurement critically and objectively as it holds the dreams and ambitions of future generations.

“Today, our young women and girls experience sexual violence simply because of lack of surveillance cameras in our streets, lack of streetlights, poor public facilities, poor sanitation conditions in public spaces, extreme poverty, lack of hostels for girls and boys, lack of water, poor crop yields due to overprices fertilizers and pesticides, malnutrition and the list can go on and on. All these issues are a direct result of procurement activities failures. Almost all public goods are acquired through public procurement processes that are guided by laws, policies and practices whose appearance leads much to be desired,” he said.

Michael Moshiro from the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) said the International Transparency and Accountability Conference (ITAC) 2024 seeks to address the critical issue of enhancing procurement systems in Africa.

With procurement accounting for a significant portion of national budgets across the continent, the need for effective procurement systems has never been more pressing.

In 2024, ITAC focuses on “Fostering Effective Procurement Systems for Sustainable Development in Africa,” emphasizing enhancing transparency and accountability throughout the procurement lifecycle.

This conference aims to bring together international experts, policymakers, practitioners and scholars to explore challenges, best practices and strategies for improving procurement processes in African countries.