At the tenth anniversary 2026 Public Procurement Conference, held at the Arusha International Convention Center, Alex Haraba, Acting Commissioner of the Department of Public Procurement Policy, emphasized the strategic importance of the National Supply Chain Management Policy.
He noted that this document is key to achieving the goals of the National Development Vision 2050, contributing to industrial development through the use of domestic products, materials and services.
The implementation of this initiative expands the market for local producers and suppliers, which leads to increased consumption of local goods. It is also expected to strengthen the position of private business, create jobs, increase government revenues, stimulate investment and develop the industrial base.
The main objective of the policy is to create a reliable framework for effective regulation of all stages of the supply chain.
This should improve the quality of services, optimize the use of resources, strengthen the position of local products, and increase the participation of the private sector and social groups.
The document also provides for the harmonization of procurement processes with state priorities, modernization of customs procedures, improvement of mechanisms for the acceptance and return of products, as well as optimization of storage systems and distribution of state property. The policy includes priorities such as environmental protection, combating climate change, and strengthening governance.
Speaking about the acceptance and return of goods, Haraba noted that this will ensure that products comply with quality standards, reduce losses from poor-quality supplies, increase resource efficiency and improve public services.
He also pointed to previous systemic weaknesses: the inability of the supply chain to meet needs, inefficient customs procedures, problems with the acceptance of goods, weak control over property and inefficient allocation of resources, as well as disregard for environmental aspects and management principles.
According to Haraba, the full implementation of the policy will lead to significant improvements: improved supply chain management, increased use of local raw materials, increased industrial competitiveness, increased role of private business, increased employment and income.
Until 2025, procurement activities were conducted without a single coordination system, which led to the development of a National Supply Chain Management Policy to address this gap. The policy was drafted in 2025 and officially launched in April 2026.
