African Public Procurement Network Meeting to Tackle Development Challenges
By Desire Tshuma
Harare – The African Public Procurement Network (APPN) is set to host its 5th General Assembly in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, from November 11 to 14, 2025.
The conference will bring together stakeholders from across Africa to discuss innovative procurement strategies, sustainable development and regional collaboration.
The meeting will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, and workshops on topics such as digitalization, sustainable procurement, and capacity building. Delegates from 54 African countries, including government officials, procurement practitioners, and experts in the field, are expected to attend.
The Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) is hosting the event, which aims to promote development and regional integration through active cooperation between its members. The conference theme, “Transforming Public Procurement in Africa through Innovation, Inclusion, Sustainability, and Regional Collaboration,” reflects the network’s commitment to driving meaningful change in public procurement practices.
Guest of honor at the event is going to be the Vice President Dr. Constantino Chiwenga. His presence is a powerful testament to the highest level of political will in Zimbabwe to champion public procurement reform. This assembly recognises that political commitment is the essential catalyst for transforming.
The government of Zimbabwe, under the leadership of President Dr. Mnangagwa, has demostrated this will through the establishment of the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ), the support of the electronic government procurement system and the recent launch of the Southern Africa Public Procurement Training Academy (SAPPTA), an African institution born in Zimbabwe.
Other notable stakeholders expected to attend include Dr. Clever Ruswa (pictured), CEO of PRAZ and Ms. Joyeuse Uwingeneye, director-general of the Rwanda Public Procurement Authority and outgoing APPN president. A voting process during the Assembly to determine the new president.
The APPN meeting provides a platform for stakeholders to share experiences, explore innovations, and chart a unified path toward sustainable procurement excellence in Africa. With the theme of “Transforming Public Procurement in Africa through Innovation, Inclusion, Sustainability, and Regional Collaboration,” the conference is expected to be a significant milestone in the continent’s development journey.
“This conference is a testament to the growing recognition of public procurement as a critical tool for the development in Africa. We have unique opportunity to shape the the future of procurement on our continet and drive meaningful change,” said Dr Ruswa, President of APPN.
Government officials from 54 African countries, procurement practitioners and experts shall be available. Representatives from international organizations, including the World Bank and the African Development Bank, private sector companies and civil society organisations are also going to be part of the meeting.
Topics to be discussed will include digitalization and e-procurement systems. Sustainable procurement practices, capacity building and training for procurement professional, regional
collaboration and knowledge sharing.
The APPN meeting in Victoria Falls promises to be a significant event in the African development calendar, providing a platform for stakeholders to shape the future of public procurement on the continent.
