Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe
INDUSTRY and Commerce Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu has called for the rigorous implementation of a “Local Manufacturing First” principle in public procurement, saying Government purchasing power must be strategically deployed to accelerate industrialisation, create jobs and strengthen domestic productive capacity.
Minister Ndlovu made the remarks in a speech delivered on his behalf by the ministry’s Bulawayo provincial deputy director, Mrs Mary Chingonzoh, at the Fifth Annual Public Procurement Symposium organised by the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Praz) in Bulawayo yesterday.
He said public procurement should become a key instrument for economic transformation rather than merely a compliance exercise focused on securing the lowest price.
The symposium was held under the theme, “Public Procurement as a Strategic Catalyst: Driving Inclusion and Sustainable Economic Transformation.”
Public procurement accounts for a significant share of Government expenditure and is identified in the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) as a powerful lever for supporting local industry, value addition and inclusive economic growth.
Minister Ndlovu challenged Praz and all procuring entities to prioritise local suppliers wherever Zimbabwean firms have the capacity and meet required quality standards competitively.
“From today, I call upon PRAZ and all Procuring Entities to embrace and rigorously implement a ‘Local Manufacturing First’ principle. Wherever Zimbabwean industry possesses the capacity, quality standards, and reasonable cost competitiveness to supply goods and services, preference should be accorded to local producers and manufacturers, even where they may not be the absolute lowest-cost option.”
Minister Ndlovu said the policy was not intended to shield local companies from competition but to ensure that public expenditure directly contributes to economic development.
“This is not a call for protectionism. Rather, it is a call for strategic developmental procurement, the deliberate use of public procurement as a catalyst for industrial growth, employment creation, innovation, and economic transformation.
“Every dollar spent through public procurement should, wherever possible, contribute to strengthening domestic productive capacity, supporting local enterprises, and expanding opportunities for Zimbabwean workers.”
The minister said NDS2 places industrialisation and value addition at the centre of Zimbabwe’s economic growth strategy, identifying sectors such as furniture manufacturing, textiles and clothing, leather processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials and agro-processing as priority areas.
“The National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) is unequivocal in its commitment to industrialisation and value addition. It identifies priority sectors such as furniture manufacturing, textiles and clothing, leather processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, and agro-processing as critical drivers of economic growth. Public procurement must therefore become an active instrument for advancing these national priorities.”
To increase participation by domestic businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Minister Ndlovu urged procuring entities to redesign tender structures and adopt procurement models that broaden market access.
“To achieve this, Procuring Entities must move beyond traditional procurement approaches. Tender designs should deliberately break down large contracts into SME-friendly lots, thereby enabling greater participation by local enterprises.
“Where appropriate, bidding requirements should include local assembly obligations, technology transfer provisions, and clearly defined local content thresholds that stimulate domestic production and strengthen national value chains.”
The minister also defended the National Standard Price List, describing it as one of the most significant reforms in Zimbabwe’s public procurement system.
He said the pricing framework helps promote value for money, curb inflated quotations and eliminate collusive bidding practices.
“The National Standard Price List is a transformative reform in our public procurement system. When applied consistently and effectively, it serves as a powerful tool for promoting value for money, eliminating inflated quotations and disrupting collusive bidding practices that undermine public confidence and waste scarce natural resources.”
Minister Ndlovu warned against the misuse of exemptions and special circumstances to circumvent the pricing framework.
“However, I am aware that some Procuring Entities continue to circumvent its application by invoking vague or inadequately justified ‘special circumstances. This practice must come to an end. Let me be clear: any deviation from the National Standard Price List must henceforth be approved at the level of the Accounting Officer and supported by a comprehensive written economic justification demonstrating why such a departure is necessary and in the public interest.”
He urged procurement professionals to develop specifications that promote local participation and innovation rather than favouring foreign suppliers or established firms.
“Procurement professionals must move away from drafting requirements and specifications that, whether intentionally or inadvertently, exclude local participation and favour only foreign suppliers or large, established firms. Specifications should be functional and performance-based rather than brand-specific, thereby encouraging innovation, competition, and broader market participation.”
The minister said greater use of multi-year framework contracts would provide local manufacturers with predictable demand, enabling them to invest with confidence in expanding production capacity.
Addressing governance concerns, he stressed that transparency and accountability are critical to industrial development, warning that delayed payments to suppliers undermine business viability and economic growth.
“There can be no industrial development where procurement is opaque. Furthermore, delayed payment to local suppliers is a form of industrial sabotage. The MAPS Report confirmed systemic late payment. I encourage Praz to name and shame chronic late payers.”
The Minister also called for increased support for women-owned, youth-led and disability-inclusive enterprises through affirmative procurement measures.
“Equally, affirmative procurement — through set-asides for women-owned, youth-led and disability-inclusive enterprises — is not charity; it is market expansion. We must monitor and report on the percentage of procurement opportunities and awards achieved by these special interest groups.”
To strengthen accountability, Minister Ndlovu urged Praz to publish an annual Procurement and Industrial Impact Report tracking local procurement expenditure, SME participation, utilisation of the National Standard Price List and progress in procurement reforms.
He said public procurement has become a central pillar of Zimbabwe’s industrialisation drive under the Second Republic.
“For too long, procurement has been viewed as a back-office administrative function, a matter of forms, compliance and the lowest price. I am here to declare that this era is over. Under the Second Republic’s leadership and as guided by the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), public procurement is now a frontline instrument for industrial awakening, competitiveness and inclusive growth.”
“The era of public procurement as a passive administrative function is over. The era of public procurement as a strategic driver of industrialisation, economic growth and national development has begun.”
Public procurement accounts for a significant share of Government expenditure and is increasingly being viewed as a policy tool capable of stimulating local production, supporting small and medium enterprises, creating jobs and enhancing the participation of previously marginalised groups in economic activities.
The symposium brought together policymakers, procurement practitioners, industry leaders and development partners to explore ways of harnessing procurement to drive sustainable economic transformation while promoting transparency, accountability and value for money in public spending.
