As excitement builds for the 5th African Public Procurement Network (APPN) General Assembly, set to take place in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe from November 11 to 14, 2025, the continent’s procurement community reflects on a year of exceptional leadership under the guidance of Dr. Clever Ruswa, the current APPN President and CEO of the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ).
A Year of Dynamic Leadership
Dr. Ruswa took the helm in November 2024, succeeding former Director General of Rwanda Public Procurement Authority and APPN President Uwingeneye Joyeuse. His leadership has revitalized the network’s mission to create transparent, efficient, and sustainable procurement systems across Africa. Under his stewardship, the APPN has
fostered deeper dialogues among member countries, enhanced technical knowledge exchange, and championed the adoption of innovative technologies to modernize public procurement.
Transformative Webinars and Knowledge Sharing
Throughout the year, Zimbabwe’s administration has successfully launched a series of impactful knowledge-sharing webinars. These sessions have attracted participants from across Africa and various development institutions, becoming vital platforms for professional engagement, policy learning, and regional cooperation. Key topics have included:
- Strategic Use of Framework Agreements: Discussions focused on how governments can leverage long-term contracts to achieve cost efficiency, reduce transaction times, and enhance supplier performance. This exploration highlighted Africa’s growing expertise in utilizing framework agreements for value-for-money and supply chain reliability.
- Opportunities and Challenges for the Public and Private Sectors in Africa: This dialogue bridged perspectives between regulators and businesses, emphasizing the need for enhanced collaboration, fair competition, and capacity building to strengthen procurement ecosystems.
- Sustainable Public Procurement: Participants examined how digital transformation, green procurement, and data analytics can drive inclusive and environmentally conscious procurement practices that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Professionalisation of Public Procurement: This session addressed capacity development, ethical practices, and the creation of clear career pathways for procurement professionals, emphasizing the importance of skilled practitioners in maintaining the credibility and efficiency of procurement systems across the continent.
Setting the Stage for Future Collaboration
Through these webinars, the APPN, under Dr. Ruswa’s visionary leadership, has cultivated a culture of continuous learning and peer exchange. This initiative ensures that member countries remain engaged and proactive in shaping procurement reform agendas, even beyond the formal annual gatherings. As the 5th APPN General Assembly approaches, these efforts lay the groundwork for structured collaboration, innovation, and capacity building.
A Vision for Regional Integration and Digital Transformation
Dr. Ruswa’s tenure has been marked by a strong focus on regional integration and digital transformation, reinforcing Zimbabwe’s leadership in advocating for electronic Government Procurement (eGP) reforms. His unwavering commitment to transparency and innovation has positioned the APPN as a strategic platform for transforming public procurement into a catalyst for socio-economic advancement.
A Moment of Celebration and Commitment
Looking ahead to November 2025, the Victoria Falls General Assembly will not only serve as a forum for policy dialogue and learning but also as a celebration of the achievements made under Zimbabwe’s presidency. It will reaffirm Africa’s collective commitment to building modern, inclusive, and accountable procurement systems.
“Africa’s progress in public procurement reform depends on our shared commitment to transparency, collaboration, and innovation,” stated Dr. Clever Ruswa. “Through dialogue, knowledge exchange, and partnership, we are shaping a more sustainable and prosperous future for our continent.”
Join us as we embark on this exciting journey, continuing to advance the legacy of innovation and collaboration in African procurement!