Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata and Anesu January
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga will headline the 5th General Assembly of the African Public Procurement Network (APPN) set for November 11 to 14 in Victoria Falls, where procurement leaders from across Africa will meet to advance transparency, innovation and sustainability in public procurement.
The high-level continental meeting will bring together policymakers, regulators and experts from at least 75 percent of APPN’s member countries, along with international partners and co-sponsors.
Addressing journalists in Harare, APPN president and Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) chief executive officer, Dr Clever Ruswa, said Zimbabwe was ready to host the delegates and showcase the country’s commitment to procurement reform and regional cooperation.
“Zimbabwe is profoundly honoured to host this landmark gathering in Victoria Falls,” Dr Ruswa said.
“Our logistical, technical and hospitality preparations are complete, ensuring a productive, secure and memorable experience for all delegates.”
The event will run under the theme “Transforming Public Procurement in Africa through Innovation, Inclusion, Sustainability and Regional Collaboration”.
Dr Ruswa said the assembly would discuss how technologies such as e-procurement and artificial intelligence can enhance transparency and efficiency, while promoting inclusion of women, youth and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in public procurement.
He said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offered transformative opportunities for harmonising procurement standards, fostering fair competition and strengthening regional value chains.
“The AfCFTA creates a continent-wide market that enables collaboration, reduces trade barriers and allows procurement entities to tap into a broader and more competitive pool of suppliers,” he said.
Dr Ruswa said Zimbabwe’s tenure as APPN president has been marked by several capacity-building initiatives and knowledge-sharing webinars focusing on framework agreements, sustainable procurement and professionalisation of the field.
He said the participation of Vice President Chiwenga showed the highest level of political commitment by the Government under President Mnangagwa to drive procurement reform and strengthen good governance.
“The thunder of Victoria Falls will echo our collective resolve to transform public procurement in Africa. We are confident that the outcomes of this assembly will mark a new step toward a transparent, inclusive and prosperous Africa.”
