| Year of assessment | 2023-2024 |
| Date of publication | August 2024 |
| Country procurement volume | 1.3 billion USD (2021/2022) |
| Principal organisation | Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (ESPPRA) |
| Main partners | African Development Bank (AfDB) |
Eswatini
Recognizing the central role that public procurement plays in public service delivery, financial management, and sustainable development, this MAPS MAIN assessment for Eswatini resulted in recommendations targeting legal and regulatory alignment with international best practices, strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing procurement operations through e-Procurement, improving market access for suppliers, and reinforcing accountability and anti-corruption measures.
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Quick facts
Background
- Why was a MAPS assessment initiated?
The assessment was initiated to evaluate Eswatini’s public procurement system and inform procurement reforms, particularly in relation to the roll-out of an e-GP system. - Who initiated the assessment?
The Government of Eswatini, represented by the Ministry of Finance, with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB). - Brief description of the country procurement system:
Eswatini’s procurement system is governed by a hierarchical legal and regulatory framework, including the Procurement Act and the Public Procurement Regulations (PPR). It covers procurement by central government, local government, and parastatal entities. ESPPRA serves as the regulatory authority overseeing public procurement. - Other noteworthy context:
The assessment took place after the implementation of the 2020 Public Procurement Regulations (PPR), allowing for an analysis of their effectiveness. There is a strong commitment to improving procurement practices through digitalization, including an e-GP system. Eswatini's procurement accounts for a significant proportion of public spending, yet it lacks reliable, centralized procurement data. Political and economic challenges, including social unrest (2021) and fiscal constraints, have impacted procurement system development. - Were there any disruptions?
Challenges included delays due to national elections, difficulties in accessing procurement data, and limited responses to a private sector survey.
Main results and impact
- Issue: The legal framework does not sufficiently ensure competition and transparency, with gaps in procurement procedures, international participation, and contract amendment regulations.
- Recommendations: Enhance measures to ensure documented and justified procurement procedures, limit emergency and single-source procurement, and update the legal framework to regulate the participation of state-owned enterprises and align with international standards.
- Issue: Eswatini's procurement system operates through two parallel structures, leading to inefficiencies, unclear responsibilities, and compliance challenges.
- Recommendations: Conduct an institutional review to streamline responsibilities, clarify reporting lines, and improve the coordination of ESPPRA, the Ministry of Finance, and other relevant bodies.
- Issue: The ESPPRA lacks sufficient staffing and resources to fulfill its regulatory and oversight functions effectively.
- Recommendations: Increase staffing levels and ensure adequate budgetary support to strengthen ESPPRA’s regulatory role.
- Issue: Procurement data is incomplete, unreliable, and not systematically collected, limiting market analysis and decision-making.
- Recommendations: Improve procurement data collection, introduce measures to ensure the submission of procurement reports, and support the development of an Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS)
- Issue: The use of competitive procurement methods is inconsistent, with a lack of documented justifications for procurement decisions.
- Recommendations: Enforce compliance mechanisms to ensure that the choice of procurement methods is well-documented and aligned with legislative requirements.
- Issue: Weak anti-corruption mechanisms and limited transparency reduce public trust in procurement processes.
- Recommendations: Revise and strengthen anti-corruption laws, ensure better enforcement of penalties, improve whistleblower protection, and introduce a mandatory register for tender defaulters.
- Issue: Civil society and business sector engagement in procurement oversight is limited.
- Recommendations: Actively encourage civil society and business organizations to participate in procurement monitoring and integrity-building initiatives.