Published: 08 May 2025

Zimbabwe's Electronic Government Procurement (eGP) system has recorded significant success, with 75 percent of annual procurement plans for 2025 already approved - an exponential leap from just 9 percent processed during the same period in 2024, marking a transformative shift in the country's public procurement landscape.

The milestone was announced by Dr Clever Ruswa, CEO of the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) and President of the Africa Public Procurement Network (APPN), during his address at the SEAT Africa Summit 2025, underway in Victoria Falls. The summit is themed "Harnessing and Optimising Technology for Business Growth and Success."

Launched in 2024, the eGP platform has revolutionised public procurement by automating critical processes, including tender submissions, bid evaluations, and contract management, significantly reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies and fostering transparency and competition.

"Technology is no longer optional; it is a necessity," Dr Ruswa said. "By harnessing eGP, we have reduced administrative burdens, accelerated decision-making, and built stakeholder trust through transparency."

He highlighted that the digital system has enabled broader participation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), breaking the historical monopoly of large firms over public tenders.

Among its top accomplishments, the eGP has maintained 100 percent system uptime, ensured remote bid submissions, and contributed to lower carbon emissions through its paperless operation. The platform also features enhanced fraud detection tools via digital traceability, boosting ethical compliance and oversight.

Dr Ruswa noted that the phased rollout of the platform - from user onboarding and testing to full-scale deployment - has streamlined regulatory compliance and built a solid digital procurement ecosystem. He also pointed to a 30 percent increase in bidder registrations on the eGP platform in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

"The system has brought geographical equality in procurement access and enhanced institutional efficiency, helping to fast-track the approval of procurement plans for the 2025 financial year," he said.

Ongoing initiatives under PRAZ include capacity building for procurement professionals and the integration of sustainability criteria that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"The time has come for Africa to fully embrace technology in public procurement," Dr Ruswa concluded. "Through eGP, we are driving competitiveness, transparency, and a brighter future for the continent."

The SEAT Africa Summit continues to draw regional leaders, tech innovators, and policy makers focused on using digital solutions to enhance governance and economic performance.
- the herald