By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Vusie Dlamini, has emphasized the critical need for Eswatini to cultivate a culture of integrity and accountability within its procurement processes.
Dlamini’s remarks were made during the Eswatini Procurement Symposium where his speech centered around the symposium’s theme, “The Future of Procurement:
A Cross Dimensional Perspective,” where he expressed the importance of empowering procurement professionals to make decisions that prioritize the public interest.
Dlamini highlighted the growing importance of procurement as a strategic pillar that not only underpins the delivery of quality public services but also significantly impacts economic growth and the overall well-being of Eswatini’s citizens.
“The procurement system in Eswatini is at a critical juncture. With the increasing demands for transparency, efficiency, and accountability, we must ensure that our procurement practices are not only compliant with regulations but also aligned with our national priorities,” he asserted.
The symposium was further said to be a platform for dialogue and exploration of the evolving landscape of public procurement, both within Eswatini and on a global scale.
Dlamini urged attendees to embrace a holistic view of procurement, recognizing its strategic significance across all sectors of government.
He noted that by positioning procurement as a strategic function, Eswatini could harness its potential to drive innovation, improve service delivery, and create sustainable value for communities.
One of the key challenges identified by Dlamini was the need to move beyond traditional procurement models, which are increasingly inadequate in the face of global procurement complexities, rapid technological advancements, and the pressing need for sustainability.
He advocated for a cross-dimensional perspective that fosters collaboration among various stakeholders, including government entities, private sector partners, and civil society.
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“In our pursuit of excellence in procurement, we must also prioritize the digital transformation of our procurement processes,” Dlamini stated.
He elaborated on how digital innovations could enhance efficiency, streamline operations, and promote transparency in procurement.
However, he cautioned that with the adoption of new technologies, ethical considerations must remain paramount, ensuring that procurement practices uphold the highest standards of integrity.
Sustainability was another critical dimension that Dlamini emphasized as essential to Eswatini’s procurement framework.
He called for decisions guided by the principles of environmental stewardship and social responsibility, aligning the nation’s procurement practices with global standards and frameworks that emphasize responsible and ethical procurement.
“It is essential that we cultivate a culture of integrity and accountability, where procurement professionals are empowered to make decisions that reflect our commitment to serving the public interest,”
Dlamini said, stressing the importance of strengthening an environment of transparency to build trust among all stakeholders and ensure that procurement processes are fair and equitable.
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Moreover, the Principal Secretary encouraged active engagement from all participants, where he recognized the collective wisdom in the room as invaluable for shaping a more effective and dynamic procurement system in Eswatini.
He expressed optimism that through collaborative efforts, the nation could develop a procurement ecosystem that is agile, responsive, and capable of addressing the multifaceted needs of the country.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Agency for organizing the symposium and commended all attendees for their commitment to advancing the procurement agenda in Eswatini.
He concluded with a rallying call to work together to realize the full potential of the country’s procurement system,
ensuring that it serves as a powerful tool for positive change and contributes to enhancing the quality of life for all emaSwati.
