Tanzania to host East African Public Procurement Forum in Arusha

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania will host the 16th East African Public Procurement Forum (EAPF) from September 9 to 12, 2024, in Arusha.

The event will bring together over 1,000 participants from across the region to discuss and share best practices in public procurement.

This was announced by the Director of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), Eliakim Maswi.

This is the fourth time Tanzania has had the opportunity to coordinate and organize this forum, which provides a platform for various stakeholders in procurement both within and outside the country, from the public and private sectors.

Maswi made these remarks today, July 18, 2024, in Dodoma while speaking to the press, where he mentioned that the guest of honor at the opening ceremony is expected to be President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who will also launch the Electronic Public Procurement System (NeST).

NeST is a web-based system that allows government agencies to procure goods and services electronically.

He said the forum is expected to be attended by participants from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, representing the public sector, private sector, professional organizations, civil society, and training institutions.

Maswi stated that the forum will provide an opportunity to collaborate and exchange experiences in public procurement matters among East African countries to bring sustainable development to the procurement sector and Tanzania's economy in general.

“This event brings together and creates interaction among various public procurement stakeholders, providing a platform for stakeholders to present their issues and efforts to improve and create a conducive public procurement environment in the East African region,” said Maswi.

Explaining the benefits of the forum to the country, he said it includes strengthening cooperation and knowledge exchange between procurement regulatory bodies from member countries of Africa, and enhancing transparency and accountability in government operations by improving institutional systems.

Additionally, he said the forum provides PPRA and other stakeholders with an opportunity to gain skills and information that are crucial for promoting transparency, building procurement awareness among stakeholders, and equipping forum participants with knowledge and skills.

The Director took this opportunity to invite all stakeholders to participate in the forum to gain understanding and insights into various procurement issues.

He added that the forum will be closed on September 12, 2024, by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa.