Tanzania’s e-Procurement system in finals for Africa’s top innovation awards

Kampala. National e-Procurement System of Tanzania (NeST) has made it to the finals of the prestigious Innovation in Systems Awards, a competition organised by the African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM) under the African Union (AU).

The announcement followed a compelling presentation by the Director General of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), Mr Dannis Simba, on November 25, 2024.

NeST, a homegrown innovation developed entirely by Tanzanian experts, was recognized as one of Africa’s top five systems.

During his presentation, Mr Simba highlighted the system’s role in transforming public procurement processes across Africa, showcasing how it has already saved the Tanzanian government over $4.95 million.

“As of October 2024, over 25,000 tenderers have registered on the system, and more than 30,000 procuring entities are using NeST to streamline procurement and ensure regulatory compliance,” Mr. Simba stated.

He also revealed that the system's mobile app has been downloaded by over 30,000 users, boasting an impressive 4.3-star rating for its ease of use.

Accompanied by Mr. Michael Moshiro, PPRA’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, and Dr. Magoti Harun, a procurement specialist, Mr. Simba attributed NeST’s success to the visionary leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

He noted the president’s directive to prioritize technology as a solution to public procurement challenges as a driving force behind the system’s development.

The final round of the competition will take place on November 28, 2024, when the winner will be announced. If successful, NeST will further cement Tanzania’s position as a leader in innovative technology solutions for public administration in Africa.