By Diana Munharira
Zimbabwe is set to host the 5th General Assembly of the African Public Procurement Network (APPN) from November 11 to 14 in Victoria Falls, bringing together procurement leaders from across the continent to chart a new course for innovation, sustainability, and inclusion in public procurement.
The announcement was made today in Harare by Dr. Clever Ruswa, President of the APPN and Chief Executive Officer of the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ), who described the upcoming gathering as a “landmark continental event” for Africa’s procurement community.
At least 75 percent of APPN member countries are expected to attend, alongside international co-sponsors and experts. Dr. Ruswa said Zimbabwe was “fully prepared and eagerly awaiting” the delegates, noting that logistical, technical, and hospitality preparations had been completed.
“We are profoundly honoured to host Africa’s leading minds in public procurement,” he said. “This Assembly will showcase how innovation and collaboration can transform procurement into a powerful tool for sustainable development.”
The four-day conference, themed “Transforming Public Procurement in Africa through Innovation, Inclusion, Sustainability, and Regional Collaboration,” will explore how digital technologies such as e-procurement and artificial intelligence can improve transparency and efficiency. Delegates will also deliberate on ways to make procurement systems more inclusive for women, youth, and small-to-medium enterprises.
Vice President of Zimbabwe, Honourable General (Retired) Dr. Constantino Chiwenga, will officiate the opening ceremony, a move Dr. Ruswa said underscores the Government’s commitment to public procurement reform.
“The presence of the Vice President is a powerful testament to the highest level of political will in Zimbabwe,” said Dr. Ruswa. “Political commitment remains the essential catalyst for transformation in this sector.”
Established in Lomé, Togo, in 2018, the APPN brings together procurement regulators and practitioners from across Africa’s five regions—North, East, West, Central, and Southern Africa. The Network’s past presidencies have been held by Senegal, Eswatini, and Côte d’Ivoire.
This year’s Assembly comes at a crucial time for the continent, as countries increasingly look to public procurement as a driver of economic growth and good governance. Dr. Ruswa highlighted that procurement accounts for approximately 17% of Africa’s GDP, making it a vital area for reform and innovation.
A key focus of the discussions will be the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which Dr. Ruswa described as a “transformative opportunity” for harmonizing procurement standards, enhancing transparency, and creating a continent-wide market that supports regional collaboration.
Under Zimbabwe’s leadership, the APPN has hosted several knowledge-sharing webinars covering topics such as framework agreements, sustainable procurement, and professionalization of the procurement sector. PRAZ has also been leading capacity-building programmes aligned with the country’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which emphasizes transparency, efficiency, and value for money in public spending.
Looking ahead, Dr. Ruswa said PRAZ would continue to strengthen the integration of electronic Government Procurement systems under the forthcoming National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) to combat corruption and empower marginalized groups.
“When procurement is prioritised as a strategic tool for development, the results are tangible—improved infrastructure, efficient public services, and enhanced public trust,” Dr. Ruswa said.
He concluded by expressing confidence that the 5th General Assembly would produce a concrete action plan to build a more efficient, transparent, and transformative procurement landscape across Africa.
“The thunder of Victoria Falls will echo our collective resolve,” he said. “We will translate that resolution into action for a prosperous Africa.”
