Zimbabwe to Host Africa’s 5th Public Procurement General Assembly in Victoria Falls

PRAZ leads the continental conversation on transparency, innovation, and sustainable development….

By Shingirai Vambe

Harare- Zimbabwe is set to host one of the most significant gatherings on the African governance calendar this month, the 5th General Assembly of the African Public Procurement Network (APPN), a forum bringing together policy leaders, procurement regulators, and development partners from across the continent to deliberate on how public procurement can drive sustainable development and economic transformation in Africa.

Running from 11 to 14 November 2025 in Victoria Falls, the conference will convene under the theme “Transforming Public Procurement in Africa through Innovation, Inclusion, Sustainability, and Regional Collaboration.”

Speaking to the media in Harare, Dr. Clever Ruswa, President of the APPN and Chief Executive Officer of the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ), said Zimbabwe was fully prepared to welcome delegates from across Africa. He confirmed that at least 75 percent of APPN member states had confirmed participation, alongside development partners such as the African Development Bank, World Bank, and Islamic Development Bank.

“Zimbabwe is profoundly honoured to host Africa’s finest procurement professionals and reformers in the majestic city of Victoria Falls,” said Dr. Ruswa. “Our logistical, technical, and hospitality preparations are complete. We are ready to provide a productive, secure, and memorable experience for all delegates.”

He said several government departments and agencies, including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Local Government, Health, Tourism, and Information, as well as the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Airports Company of Zimbabwe, and National Parks Authority, had worked closely with PRAZ to ensure the event’s success.

Established in Lomé, Togo, in 2018, the APPN was created to strengthen cooperation among African countries in improving procurement systems, a sector that accounts for nearly 17% of the continent’s GDP. The network unites five regional blocs, North, East, West, Central, and Southern Africa, under one platform to promote integrity, efficiency, and innovation in public spending.

Since its founding, the presidency has rotated among countries including Senegal, Eswatini, and Côte d’Ivoire, before Zimbabwe took over leadership in 2024.

“Our founding vision was clear,” Dr. Ruswa explained. “Africa needed a collective mechanism to address shared challenges such as corruption, inefficiency, and lack of professionalization in public procurement. We now have a platform that facilitates regional dialogue and practical solutions for reform.”

The 5th Assembly will focus on how digital transformation, inclusion, and regional collaboration can reshape Africa’s procurement systems. Delegates will explore the role of artificial intelligence, e-procurement systems, and sustainable purchasing frameworks in improving transparency and value for money.

Dr. Ruswa said Zimbabwe had already made progress in this direction through the rollout of its electronic Government Procurement (eGP) system, launched in January 2024.

“When we began the eGP rollout last year, 2024 served as our pilot phase. By 2025, we were ready for full-scale implementation. Like any new system, uptake required change management, but we are now seeing strong participation and growing confidence across ministries and departments,” he said.

He added that digitalization was crucial for reducing corruption, speeding up transactions, and improving accountability in the use of public funds.

Dr. Ruswa said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents enormous opportunities for transforming procurement systems through harmonized standards and regional cooperation.

“AfCFTA is more than just a trade framework; it is a platform for Africa to buy from Africa,” he said. “Through APPN, we are aligning procurement standards to facilitate intra-African trade, reduce barriers, and support local industries while maintaining fair competition.”

He emphasized that public procurement is not merely an administrative process but a strategic engine for economic integration and sustainable growth, particularly for small-to-medium enterprises, women, and youth.

The Harare press briefing also confirmed that Vice President General (Retired) Dr. Constantino G. D. N. Chiwenga will officiate at the opening ceremony in Victoria Falls, a gesture Dr. Ruswa described as a “powerful testament to Zimbabwe’s political commitment” to procurement reform.

“The presence of the Vice President underscores the government’s seriousness about transparent and efficient public procurement,” Ruswa said. “Our President, His Excellency Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa, has consistently emphasized value for money and accountability in public expenditure.”

He added that Zimbabwe’s achievements, including the launch of the Southern Africa Public Procurement Training Academy (SAPPTA), have positioned the country as a continental hub for professional procurement training and knowledge exchange.

Under Zimbabwe’s tenure as APPN president, several key initiatives have been implemented, including webinars and workshops on framework agreements, sustainable procurement, and professionalization of the procurement workforce.

Some of the discussions, Ruswa noted, the strategic use of framework agreements for efficiency and reliability in public purchasing, sustainable procurement practices aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ethical standards and capacity building for procurement officers to ensure credibility and professionalism across Africa.

Ruswa also addressed practical issues around domestic preference policies, explaining that African nations must balance supporting local industries with avoiding protectionism that could stifle regional trade.

“When we talk about local preference in procurement, we must not shut out our African brothers and sisters,” he said. “The challenge is to harmonize laws and create thresholds that allow fair participation from the region, because the more we trade with each other, the stronger Africa becomes.”

He confirmed that the 2025 Assembly’s budget stands at around US$500,000, with 90 percent of costs covered by international development partners, while Zimbabwe is handling local logistical and inter-ministerial coordination.

He added that about 350 delegates are expected to attend, including senior government officials, private sector representatives, development agencies, and procurement experts from across the continent.

“Victoria Falls will be a melting pot of ideas and innovation,” he said. “This is where Africa will speak with one voice on procurement reform, a voice that demands accountability, embraces technology, and builds prosperity through collaboration.”

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