By The Respondent Reporter
Arusha– Tanzania’s Commissioner for Public Procurement Policy, Dr. Frederick Mwakibinga, has called on all procuring entities to strictly adhere to the country’s procurement laws, regulations, and ethical standards.
His remarks came during the 9th Annual Public Procurement Forum, held at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC).
Dr. Mwakibinga emphasized that robust enforcement of procurement rules is essential to minimizing public asset losses and aligning procurement practices with national development goals.
“Public procurement remains one of the most powerful tools for national transformation not only to safeguard public finances, but also to build local industry capacity,” he said.
“By complying with the legal framework, we ensure transparency, efficiency, and the optimal use of taxpayer resources.”he added
He underscored the importance of leveraging public procurement as a platform to empower local enterprises and marginalized groups that often struggle to compete in formal markets.
“Empowering domestic companies through public procurement is not just good policy; it’s smart economics,” he noted.
The forum, convened by the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), brought together a broad cross-section of stakeholders, including public officials, corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and procurement professionals.
It serves as a national platform for shaping policy, strengthening oversight, and driving reform in Tanzania’s procurement ecosystem.
This year’s theme, “Digital Public Procurement for Sustainable Development: Empowering Local Firms and Special Groups for Inclusive Economic Growth,” reflects the government’s push to modernize procurement systems while promoting equity and economic resilience.
The government’s renewed focus on compliance and local content development comes amid a broader strategy to enhance fiscal discipline, reduce corruption risks, and stimulate inclusive growth through domestic industrialization.