Minister of Finance, Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba, has stated that Tanzania is ready to collaborate with East African Community (EAC) countries and others to ensure they make progress together in achieving public procurement through digital systems.

Dr. Nchemba made these remarks today in his speech closing the 16th East African Public Procurement Conference, organized by the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA). The conference took place in Arusha and was attended by over 1,000 participants from eight East African countries and others. The theme of the conference was “Digital Utilization for Sustainable Public Procurement.”

Dr. Nchemba, who represented Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, said that as Tanzania continues to advance in delivering development to its citizens with a focus on digital systems, it will continue its hospitality by ensuring it keeps pace with EAC and Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.

“We have a high level of hospitality and we wish to move forward together with these digital systems. Since Tanzania is part of the EAC and SADC, we act as a link. We are ready to assist because we want to move forward together with these digital systems,” said Dr. Nchemba.

Furthermore, he called on African governments to ensure that their procurement laws protect the use of products, companies, and people within the continent before considering external sources.

“Following this meeting, as we return to our responsibilities, let us promote patriotism. In our procurement laws, let us use items that are not available in Africa only when these items are unavailable in Africa. Let us take pride in our own products, even construction materials, and use those available in Africa while only importing those that are not available here,” he said.

Additionally, Dr. Nchemba mentioned that the Public Procurement Act of 2023 requires all public institutions to use the Electronic System [NeST], but he cautioned that systems should enhance efficiency and not hinder progress in delivering development to citizens. Instead, they should assist in achieving real value for money.

He also quoted President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s message, urging procurement stakeholders to embrace and internalize laws and systems.

“I quote the President’s saying, ‘the best law is the one written within you, and the best system is the one embedded within you. If a system is not within you, you will greatly misuse the system that was designed for you,’” he explained.

The Finance Minister highlighted the progress made in the country, including the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway, which is expected to be the longest railway in Africa and the fifth longest in the world, costing over 27 trillion Tanzanian Shillings. He also mentioned the construction of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam, which will provide electricity to every household and address power outages, as well as the Kigongo-Busisi Bridge crossing Lake Victoria with a length of three kilometers.

“Achieving real value for money in implemented projects builds public trust in their leaders, which is why major projects continue to be carried out,” Dr. Nchemba said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the PPRA Board of Directors, Dr. Leonida Mwagike, said that through the conference, participants exchanged expertise, and the topics presented were aimed at promoting the use of digital systems in public procurement, with Tanzania serving as a model host through the NeST system in use.