Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
THE Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Praz) has called on suppliers, contractors and service providers to register on the electronic Government Procurement (eGP) system for 2025, with registration set to open on January 1.
In Zimbabwe, supplier registration is mandatory and plays a crucial role in addressing misconduct among participants in procurement activities.
In a statement, Praz said: “Registration fees for local/domestic suppliers is US$120 annually (or US$30 quarterly) payable in Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG) and international suppliers US$850 annually.”
The authority advised against using third-party agencies for registration, as this can lead to scams, overcharging and loss of credentials.
Praz said instead, suppliers should register directly on their official website <https://egp.praz.org.zw>, while renewal and sign-up options are available for existing and new suppliers.
The eGP system was launched in October 2023 and over 21 000 suppliers registered on the system by October this year.
The online platform minimises human involvement in awarding tenders, thereby reducing opportunities for corruption.
Experts say by using a system that prioritises transparency and accountability, the Government can save up to 30 percent on procurement costs.
As an electronic Government procurement system, eGP was designed to enhance and streamline processes of public tendering and procurement through the use of information and communication technology.
Information about tenders, bidding criteria and awarded contracts are all accessible online, allowing more businesses to compete for Government projects.
The system automates many processes, reducing the risk of bias or favouritism in awarding contracts.
Praz was created through an Act of Parliament with a mandate of supervising public procurement proceedings to ensure transparency, fairness, honesty, cost-effectiveness and fair competition as required by Section 315 of the Zimbabwean Constitution.
