MAPS
Countries
Namibia

Namibia

Recognizing the central role that public procurement plays in public service delivery, financial management, and sustainable development, this MAPS MAIN assessment resulted in recommendations targeting the need for more robust standards for less competitive procurement methods, elevating and resourcing the Procurement Policy Unit, establishing an end-to-end e-Government Procurement system, and strengthening accountability and transparency measures.

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Quick facts

Year of assessment	2023-2024
Date of publication	April 2025
Country procurement volume	3.16 billion USD (2021)
Principal organisation	Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises (MpFPE) - Procurement Policy Unit (PPU)
Main partners	World Bank (WB), African Development Bank (AfDB)

Background

Why was a MAPS assessment initiated?

The assessment was initiated to review Namibia’s public procurement system so as to identify key gaps and inform the development of a national procurement strategy that improves transparency, accountability, and value for money.

Who initiated the assessment?

It was launched at the request of the Government of Namibia (through MoFPE) with technical support provided by the World Bank and in partnership with the African Development Bank.

Brief description of the country procurement system

Namibia’s procurement system is established under the Public Procurement Act, 2015 and supported by regulations (e.g., Public Procurement Regulations 2017). It is centrally administered through the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises and largely driven by compliance with legal procedures. However, many procurement functions are carried out by part-time staff, and while there is an existing e-Procurement Portal, its usage remains limited with the system yet to be fully integrated and strategic.

Is there anything else that merits mention?

Namibia is an upper-middle-income country characterized by sound economic management and political stability.

Were there any disruptions?

No major disruptions to the procurement system were explicitly noted.

Main results and impact

Issue: The legal framework has provisions for both competitive and less competitive procurement methods but lacks robust safeguards. There are also gaps in contract management rules, unclear provisions related to Ministerial exemptions, and inadequate legal support for the use of modern e-Procurement tools.
- Recommendations:
  - Introduce more robust standards to limit the use of less competitive and non‐competitive procedures by clarifying when such methods may be applied.
  - Improve legal provisions on contract management by clearly defining responsibilities throughout the procurement cycle and reducing overlaps.
  - Assess and restrict the use of Ministerial exemptions to ensure they are invoked only in exceptional circumstances.
  - Clarify rules on foreign bidder participation and introduce provisions to promote life-cycle costing.
  - Enact legal provisions that facilitate the standardized use of end-to-end e-Government Procurement (e-GP) tools.

Issue: The PPU faces significant capacity and status challenges, compounded by overlaps between its functions, those of the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN), and individual procuring entities. Procurement is not yet recognized as a strategic function within public entities.
- Recommendations:
  - Elevate the status of the PPU from a “Unit” to an “Authority” under MoFPE to ensure it has adequate resources and independence.
  - Establish procurement as a strategic function by creating dedicated structures staffed with qualified professionals and by considering a regulatory body for purchasing and supply management.
  - Enforce the mandatory use of the e-Procurement portal and review responsibilities among PPU, CPBN, and Accounting Officers to eliminate overlaps.
  - Strengthen linkages across budgeting, procurement planning, and treasury operations to guarantee timely payment and effective contract management.

Issue: Operational weaknesses are evident in the planning process, market studies, confidentiality of bid evaluations, and overall transparency during procurement transactions.
- Recommendations:
  - Develop sector-specific procurement strategies by incorporating thorough needs assessments and market studies into the planning process.
  - Deliver regular training programs to improve the competencies of economic operators and public procurement staff.
  - Establish clear guidelines for conducting market studies and aligning procurement plans with the budget cycle.
  - Promote the use of secure and confidential electronic procurement solutions to safeguard bid evaluations and enhance record keeping and contract monitoring.

Issue: Oversight mechanisms—including internal audits, appeals processes, and civil society engagement—are weak. There is limited capacity for monitoring, infrequent publication of review outcomes, and insufficient direct engagement with civil society organizations (CSOs).
- Recommendations:
  - Accelerate the enactment of comprehensive Public Financial Management and Audit Bills to strengthen internal and external control frameworks.
  - Make the filing of financial and asset disclosure forms mandatory for all officials involved in procurement to improve transparency and accountability.
  - Enhance CSO engagement by creating formal channels for feedback and by making CSO participation a mandatory part of procurement planning and contract monitoring.
  - Strengthen audit functions and review processes—including prompt publication of Review Panel decisions—to ensure that systemic issues are identified and addressed effectively.

Namibia

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Namibia

Additonal links

Quick facts

Background

Main results and impact

Legal, Regulatory and Policy Framework

Institutional Framework and Management Capacity

Public Procurement Operations and Market Practices

Accountability, Integrity, and Transparency of the Public Procurement System

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Methodology

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e-Learning and Certification