Staff Writer
The government is set to implement a new electronic procurement (e-procurement) system aimed at accelerating order processing, enhancing spending visibility, improving supplier management, and strengthening compliance with procurement policies.
The Vice President and Minister of Finance, Ndaba Gaolathe, made the announcement recently in Gaborone while addressing delegates at a recently held National Procurement Pitso in Gaborone where he, Gaolathe said the system will be rolled out in the coming financial year as part of broader public finance reforms. Gaolathe noted that the digital platform is expected to significantly reduce human error and create a fully auditable trail of transactions across government ministries and departments.
Gaolathe outlined that the e-procurement system will establish an integrated framework to manage supply chains for all government services streamlining processes from requisition to payment. This, he said, will reduce manual tasks and paperwork while lowering operational costs.
“The system will serve as a safeguard against waste and as a generator of real-time intelligence, providing a strong defence against corruption. By centralising procurement information, we will strengthen oversight, improve decision-making and build a system that is efficient, transparent and sustainable,” he said
He acknowledged, however, that procurement reform in Botswana faces challenges, including legacy systems and capacity constraints within institutions.
The national e-procurement initiative is being spearheaded by the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA). The VP noted that significant progress has already been made, including enabling the digital submission and management of public tenders, a move expected to further enhance transparency and efficiency in public procurement.
The rollout of the system marks a key milestone in government’s efforts to modernise public financial management and promote accountability in the use of public funds.
