The Public Procurement Appeals Authority (PPAA) has stepped up its digital transformation efforts by training public procurement stakeholders in the Northern Zone on how to use a new electronic module for submitting and managing complaints and appeals through the NeST system.
The two-day training, held from April 10 to 11, 2025, in Arusha, brought together suppliers and procurement officials from public institutions across Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Manyara, and Tanga regions.
Opening the training, PPAA Executive Secretary Mr. James Sando emphasized the importance of adopting the new technology.
“We urge you to take full advantage of this system to file complaints and appeals efficiently. It is designed to help both bidders and procuring entities save time and resources while promoting transparency,” he said.
Mr. Sando explained that the electronic module eliminates the need for physical travel to PPAA or procuring offices.
“Bidders will no longer have to incur costs traveling to submit complaints or appeals. Everything can now be done remotely and securely through the NeST platform,” he noted.
He added that the system also enhances transparency and accountability. “One of the biggest benefits is that complainants can track every stage of their complaint or appeal, ensuring openness throughout the process.”
Highlighting the achievements under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration, Mr. Sando said: “PPAA has handled 171 procurement-related cases since the beginning of this government. In 36 of those, we halted contract awards to bidders who lacked either financial or technical qualifications.”
He also pointed out that PPAA has played a key role in improving procurement laws. “In collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, the Attorney General’s Office, and other stakeholders, we contributed to the development of the 2023 Public Procurement Act, the 2024 Procurement Regulations, and the 2025 Appeals Regulations.”
On her part, Ms. Florida Mapunda, PPAA’s Manager for Appeals and Legal Services, explained that the training was crucial in ensuring stakeholders are aware of their rights and how to exercise them within the system.
“The current law requires all public procurement to be done electronically. That’s why we developed this module to make the complaint and appeal process more accessible and efficient,” she said.
She also stressed the value of digital record-keeping: “This system simplifies how complaints and appeals are stored and accessed, creating a reliable database for all procurement-related disputes.”
One of the participants, Ms. Hilaria Joseph, Director of Gratian General Supplies from Karatu, praised the training.
“This session has been incredibly helpful. We now understand how to submit complaints on time and follow up effectively using the system,” she said.
This workshop in the Northern Zone follows a similar training held in the Lake Zone from February 4 to 6, 2025, in Mwanza. That session attracted more than 580 participants from Mwanza, Geita, Mara, Kagera, Simiyu, and Shinyanga regions.
PPAA continues to roll out these regional sessions to promote fair and efficient procurement practices across the country.
