Justice, Legal and Parliament Affairs permanent secretary -Vimbai Nyemba has urged players to invest in electronic procurement solutions to enhance the delivery of products and services.
The Auditor General’s Office has in the past flagged weak procurement systems in government ministries, departments, parastatals and agencies, costing hundreds of millions of United States dollars.
Such challenges are also being faced in the private sector.
Speaking during the Zimbabwe Institute of Procurement and Supply Annual Dinner and Awards for Procurement Excellence held in Harare last week, Nyemba said for digital and technological procurement solutions were key.
The annual event was held under the theme Procurement Excellence in the Digital Age.
“I urge you, all public and private sectors, to invest in electronic procurement solutions that enhance the better delivery of quality products and services, which entail right customer satisfaction and enhance profitability,” Nyemba said.
“With technologies such as artificial intelligence, block chain and big data analytics, we can now make more informed decisions to meet market trends and manage risks more effectively.”
Nyemba said this was crucial, especially in a global context where supply chains were becoming increasingly complex and volatile.
“In a country like Zimbabwe, where resources are often limited, achieving procurement excellence can significantly contribute to sustainable procurement and economic growth,” she said.
Nyemba said organisations globally were harnessing digital technologies to revolutionise their procurement processes to stay competitive.
“By embracing the best global practices and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, we can elevate our procurement standard to be on par with the best in the world,” Nyemba said.
“I am proud to highlight significant strides in the professionalisation of the procurement space. It is pleasing to note the establishment of a professionalisation framework that not only enhances the skills of our procurement professionals, but also fosters transparency and accountability in our processes.”
Speaking at the same event, Tobacco Research Board chief executive officer Frank Magama said the concept of procurement had evolved significantly and was now widely recognised as a strategic function.
“Traditional procurement was often viewed at the cost centre, focusing primarily on transactional activities such as supplier management, negotiation and purchase order processing,” Magama said.
“Procurement excellence entails a holistic approach that encompasses strategic sourcing, supplier relationships, management, risk mitigation, cost optimisation and, more importantly, value creation.”
He said that procurement excellence was essential to navigate challenges and capitalise on emerging opportunities.
“Procurement professionals must play an essential role in championing sustainable practice throughout the entire supply chain,” Magama said.
“This involves prioritising suppliers who not only adhere to strict environmental and social standards but also demonstrate a genuine commitment to ethical practices. I think many practitioners have been found working in this aspect. My call to action is to let us work together to build a procurement function that is agile, responsive and aligned with the strategic goals of our organisation, our country.”
Some of the winners during the event included ZB Financial Holdings group procurement manager Linos Madziwa, Collen Rutsate (Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe specialist), and Vera Mercy Gambia (Mvurwi Town Council’s head of procurement).
