Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo, Zimpapers Business Hub
PROCUREMENT has been identified as a catalyst for reindustrialisation, with experts noting that Bulawayo alone spends millions of dollars on the procurement of goods and services — resources that could be strategically used to strengthen the local supply chain.
This was highlighted by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Deputy Director of Industrial Operations for Bulawayo Province, Mr Stevenson Dhlamini, during a policy dialogue hosted by the Public Policy Research Institute of Zimbabwe (PPRIZ) in Bulawayo yesterday.
The event, held under the theme “Towards Strengthening Local Government Procurement Process for Improved Service Delivery and Socioeconomic Development,” aimed to foster dialogue on how local authority procurement processes can be improved to ensure more efficient use of public resources in service delivery.
In his presentation, Mr Dhlamini emphasised that public procurement is no longer merely an administrative or back-office function, but a powerful tool for stimulating economic growth. He noted that some economies have successfully leveraged public procurement as a driver of industrialisation.
“Public procurement is now a core economic policy tool. We must begin to view it through a new paradigm — one that recognises its strategic value for economic development.
“Bulawayo possesses significant, yet largely untapped, procurement power. The City of Bulawayo alone represents a major public sector procurer, spending millions annually on a wide range of goods and services.
“This substantial expenditure is a direct and immediate economic lever that can be strategically redirected to benefit local businesses,” he said.
Mr Dhlamini cited India’s procurement policy, which mandates that 25 percent of public procurement be reserved for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This policy, he said, has created over 465,000 jobs between 2024 and 2025.
In 2025, Zimbabwe introduced Statutory Instrument (SI) 1 of 2025, which mandates the prioritisation of local procurement by Government entities. Issued by the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Praz), the SI aims to bolster domestic industry by encouraging the purchase of goods and services from Zimbabwean producers and suppliers. This move is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the formal economy and curb informalisation.
Mr Dhlamini identified the construction sector as one with strong potential to drive Bulawayo’s reindustrialisation — if the city begins to procure goods and services locally. He also highlighted office supplies and furniture as key areas for SME growth, along with the food processing, tourism and hospitality sectors.
“Instead of relying on imports, let’s support local value chains. Public procurement, among other policies, has the potential to stimulate growth, create employment and promote industrialisation,” said Mr Dhlamini.
Meanwhile, the guest of honour, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube — represented by Chief Accountant Mr Stephen Ndagurwa — said the PPRIZ event was important in addressing procurement challenges faced by local authorities, with the goal of improving service delivery.
“This is crucial because local authorities are the tier of government closest to the people and interact with them daily. Essential services such as water, refuse collection and sewage management are primarily handled by local authorities.
“Local authorities also play a significant role in providing access to healthcare, education and road maintenance. It is in recognition of their importance in service delivery and socioeconomic development that His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has placed emphasis on improving their performance,” said Minister Ncube.
She stressed that without robust procurement processes to ensure efficient use of public resources, it would be difficult to grow the economy and ensure equitable access to essential services such as water, healthcare and education.
In his remarks, PPRIZ Executive Director Dr Gorden Moyo reiterated that procurement processes are critical, as they have a direct impact on both service delivery and socioeconomic development.
Bongani Ndlovu