Zimbabwe has taken a major step towards strengthening transparency and efficiency in public procurement with the launch of the Zimbabwe Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS) Report 2026, unveiled by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga during the inaugural Southern Africa Public Procurement Forum.
Developed jointly by the Zimbabwe Government and the African Development Bank, the report provides a comprehensive assessment of the country's public procurement systems against international benchmarks and outlines a roadmap for strengthening governance, digital procurement, and institutional transparency.
Launching the report, Vice President Chiwenga described public procurement as a driver of economic transformation, sustainable development, and regional integration. He called for procurement to be repositioned from an administrative function to a strategic policy instrument capable of advancing infrastructure development, industrialisation, job creation, value for money, transparency, and improved public service delivery.
He also highlighted the importance of stronger regional cooperation through harmonised procurement frameworks that facilitate cross-border trade, infrastructure development, and integrated value chains in support of Southern African Development Community (SADC) priorities and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He urged Member States to deepen collaboration to advance procurement reforms, accelerate the adoption of digital procurement systems, share knowledge and best practices, and strengthen partnerships with academia, development partners, and the private sector.
The launch of the MAPS Report reflects Zimbabwe's strong commitment to enhancing transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public procurement. Completed in just eight months - significantly faster than the global average of 18 months -- the assessment demonstrates the country's determination to modernise its procurement systems in line with international standards and best practice.
The report provides a strategic roadmap for future reforms, identifying priorities to enhance governance frameworks, expand electronic government procurement, promote sustainable procurement practices, and improve public resource management. Its recommendations are expected to inform policy reforms, strengthen institutional capacity, and support procurement systems that deliver greater value for money while contributing to inclusive economic growth.
Speaking at the Forum, Ms Eyerusalem Fasika, the African Development Bank's Country Manager for Zimbabwe, commended the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe and regional regulators for establishing the Southern Africa Public Procurement Forum as a platform for collaboration, innovation, and institutional excellence.
She also acknowledged the MAPS Secretariat for coordinating the quality assurance process throughout the assessment, stressing that MAPS is a diagnostic tool intended not to criticise procurement systems but to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement. She noted that the assessment's real impact would depend on the effective implementation of its recommendations.
Fasika reaffirmed the African Development Bank's role as Africa's premier development finance institution and a trusted partner in public procurement reform, reiterating the Bank's commitment to supporting Regional Member Countries in modernising procurement systems.
The launch of the MAPS Report reinforces Zimbabwe's position as a regional leader in procurement reform and establishes a valuable benchmark for excellence across Southern Africa. It also serves as a catalyst for transparent, resilient, and future-ready procurement systems that support sustainable development and shared prosperity.
