Victoria Falls Businesses Put on Notice as PRAZ Unveils New Procurement Reform Drive

VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE — Government spending is coming under renewed scrutiny, with the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) signalling a major push to make public procurement more digital, transparent and accessible to local businesses.

PRAZ Chief Executive Officer Dr C. Ruswa delivered the message at the 5th Annual Public Procurement Conference at Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls, where procurement officials, government representatives, suppliers, development partners and private-sector players gathered under the theme:

“Public Procurement as a Strategic Catalyst: Driving Inclusion and Sustainable Economic Transformation.”

For businesses in Victoria Falls and across Zimbabwe, the message is significant: government procurement is being positioned as a potential engine for local enterprise development — but businesses must be ready to compete within a changing procurement system.

WHO BENEFITS WHEN GOVERNMENT BUYS?

That was one of the central questions raised by Dr Ruswa.

He said PRAZ wants SMEs, women-led businesses, youth enterprises and cooperatives to move from being spectators to becoming active participants in government supply chains.

The issue is particularly relevant in Victoria Falls, where the tourism economy supports a wide network of accommodation providers, transport operators, restaurants, tour companies, events businesses, construction firms, suppliers and other small enterprises.

The PRAZ chief executive said the transformation of procurement must answer a basic question:
When government buys, who benefits?
The authority says inclusive procurement should be supported by clear processes, fair evaluation and responsive contracting.

VICTORIA FALLS BUSINESSES AND THE LOCAL ECONOMY

The push for greater domestic participation could have implications for businesses seeking government contracts and opportunities linked to public-sector spending.

PRAZ says Government’s recent procurement guidance has reinforced the need for public entities to comply with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act, use the eGP system and support domestic industries.

For local businesses, this puts greater emphasis on understanding procurement procedures and positioning themselves to participate when opportunities arise.

The message from PRAZ is increasingly clear: public procurement is not simply paperwork — it is part of the country’s economic development strategy.

PRAZ REVEALS 10-POINT ACTION PLAN

The conference comes after Zimbabwe completed a Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS) assessment, supported by the African Development Bank.

According to Dr Ruswa, the assessment identified high-risk areas including:
Over-reliance on direct procurement;
Delayed payments to suppliers;
Inadequate data integration; and
Weak whistleblower protections.

PRAZ has responded with a 10-point Strategic Action Plan.

The plan includes updating procurement legislation, integrating the electronic Government Procurement system with the Public Finance Management System, strengthening sustainable procurement and improving inter-agency oversight.

Dr Ruswa urged accounting officers, procurement practitioners and development partners to treat the MAPS findings as an implementation baseline.

DIGITAL PROCUREMENT IS COMING HARD

Technology is also at the heart of the reforms.

PRAZ says the country’s eGP system is being enhanced in line with global digital trends, including the responsible application of Artificial Intelligence.

The authority says the objective is to improve transparency, efficiency, decision-making and fraud detection while maintaining data security and system integrity.

Dr Ruswa revealed that PRAZ had completed an upgrade and maintenance of the multi-lot and tender-wide addendum functionality just a week before the conference.

His message to stakeholders?
“Watch this space.”

NEW PRICE GUIDE TO CHECK SUPPLIER PRICES

PRAZ has also introduced a National Standard Price List covering price ranges for goods and services procured through public procurement.

Dr Ruswa said the guide will be reviewed regularly and encouraged institutions to use it to help avoid being overcharged by suppliers.

For businesses supplying government, the development could increase pressure for pricing to be competitive, transparent and justifiable.

LOCAL BUSINESSES MUST GET PROCUREMENT-READY

The conference also highlighted Zimbabwe’s ambitions to participate more effectively in regional procurement markets through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

PRAZ says harmonising procurement standards could improve predictability for suppliers and facilitate cross-border participation.

For Victoria Falls — a tourism and international business hub — the regional dimension adds another layer to the procurement conversation.

The challenge now is whether local enterprises have the capacity, compliance systems, pricing, documentation and digital readiness required to compete for opportunities in an increasingly formalised procurement environment.

FROM VICTORIA FALLS TO THE NATIONAL ECONOMY

Dr Ruswa said the annual conference should not end with speeches and resolutions.

He urged delegates to treat its outcomes as implementation instructions.

The bigger question for businesses and taxpayers is now whether the reforms can translate into faster processes, greater transparency, more opportunities for local suppliers and better value from public money.

As Zimbabwe pushes procurement into a more digital and inclusion-focused era, Victoria Falls has become the backdrop for a conversation with very real implications for the businesses that want a bigger share of the public procurement market.