The Eswatini Consumer Forum (ECOF) has raised concerns regarding the procurement process used in awarding the Central Bank of Eswatini’s multi-billion-emalangeni headquarters project,
alleging that certain requirements may have limited participation by local contractors.
In submissions addressed to the Construction Industry Council (CIC), the forum questioned aspects of the tender process, including requirements relating to joint ventures, financial guarantees and experience thresholds. 
ECOF argued that the conditions created significant barriers to entry for local companies and may have reduced competition in the bidding process.
The forum also questioned the appointment of international consulting firm ABAKO International Partners to assist with the adjudication process,
alleging that the evaluation of tenders should have remained under structures provided for within national procurement laws.
According to ECOF, greater emphasis should have been placed on empowering local contractors and ensuring broader participation by emaSwati-owned firms in a project of such national significance.
The organisation further alleged that components of the project could have been packaged separately to allow more local firms to participate.
ECOF has called on the Construction Industry Council to review the matter and engage stakeholders affected by the procurement process.
The concerns come after the Central Bank previously announced that Ingcebo Joint Venture had emerged as the successful bidder for Phase 1 of the headquarters project following what the Bank described as a competitive procurement process.
The Bank has previously stated that an independent consultant was engaged to ensure the adjudication process was conducted fairly and transparently and that all bidders met the minimum local participation requirements established for the project.
