Rudolf Gaiseb
Namibia’s public procurement unit (PPU) and procurement entities face limited resources and low capacity.
The World Bank’s methodology of assessing procurement systems (MAPS) has found that responsibilities across the procurement cycles are poorly defined, resulting in overlaps and inefficiencies.
The Bank found that the procurement rules are vague, possibly discouraging international competition. The assessment conducted from September 2023 to April 2024, in partnership with the African Development Bank, shows that the PPU lacks sufficient capacity and resources to fulfil its oversight and monitoring.
Professionalism and consistency were hampered, as many procurement functions were handled by part-time staff.
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)’s research associate, Frederico Links, during the launch of the latest public procurement tracker, acknowledged that the lack of a robust data system hampers transparency, informed decision-making and public oversight.
“Without reliable data, compliance enforcement is inconsistent and reactive,” he stated.
He expressed concern that the Bank’s report reveals that e-procurement is underutilised.
Links pointed out that the existing portal is basic, with poor integration and limited analytical capabilities.
Moreover, the Bank criticised the lack of a national monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework and evidence that procurement data is not systematically collected or analysed.
Links affirmed that the PPU is the oversight and governance centrepiece of the public procurement system.
However, he said, it is evident over the years that many of the systematic weaknesses and dysfunctions are due to institutional challenges that have disadvantaged the optimal functioning of the PPU since its inception.
The parties agree that evaluating the PPU would position it as a strategic authority, capable of leading reforms, coordinating training certification and enforcing compliance and transparency while driving digital transformation through e-government procurement.
“To implement the MAPS recommendation to fully resource and elevate the PPU, a series of practical, sequenced steps is needed, spanning institutional reform, capacity building, legal empowerment and digital modernisation,” Links said.
The Bank urges robust standards for non-competitive procurement and strengthening of contract management rules while clarifying institutional roles. It states that these recommendations will reduce the misuse of non-competitive procurement methods and improve contract management and lifecycle costing.
Additionally, resource elevation of the procurement policy unit, developing an M&E framework and upgrading the e-procurement system for better data analytics and transparency are crucial.
This, among others, will position Namibia’s procurement system with international best practices, the Bank states.