THE Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) has said the establishment of the Southern Africa Public Procurement Training Academy (SAPPTA) marks a transformative step forward for public financial management across the region.
For decades, public procurement has been recognised as a high-risk area for inefficiency, corruption, and capacity gaps—yet no dedicated regional institution existed to systematically professionalise the procurement workforce.
Speaking during a press conference on the sidelines of the 66th edition of Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) 2026 in Bulawayo on Tuesday, PRAZ chief executive officer (CEO) Mr Clever Ruswa said SAPPTA fills a critical void.
“As a specialised centre of excellence operating under the strategic oversight of PRAZ, the academy delivers accredited training, drives research and promotes harmonised standards across Southern Africa.
“By equipping procurement practitioners with the ethics, technical skills, and strategic mindset required to manage public resources responsibly, SAPPTA directly addresses the root causes of procurement failure and lack of professionalisation, inconsistent standards, and limited access to quality capacity building,” he said.
He said what makes SAPPTA unique was its regional mandate and collaborative force, while trainings have already started with a recent one done last week.
Dr Ruswa said through strategic partnerships with the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITC-ILO), the African Development Bank, and national procurement entities, SAPPTA has already certified 30 regional Trainers of Trainers and developed a flagship Public Procurement Management Diploma designed specifically for the context.
“The Academy serves not only public sector professionals but also private sector practitioners, students, and corporate clients—ensuring that transparency, accountability, and innovation become embedded across the entire procurement ecosystem,” he added.
“In short, SAPPTA closes the gap between policy and practice, transforming procurement from a administrative function into a professional discipline that drives good governance, sustainable development, and improved public service delivery for every citizen.”
He said one critical area people were interested to know during SAPPTA trainings was how to bid for public procurement.
Dr Ruswa said they the trainings with one in the northern region for Harare and other subsequent trainings were being rolled out.
“Currently what we have decided to do, in order not to overspread ourselves, but also to manage resources, we will try by all means necessary to say we have trainings in the northern side and southern side,” he added.
“So again, you find that in our calendar for the year which we are now designing, they will be covered. In partnership with other institutions we are going to establish some training centers this side.”
He said for bigger groups, they were having discussions with the ZITF Company to used their premises, apart from the tertiary institutions.
Dr Ruswa said they had discovered that with tertiary institutions, some trainings coincide with some of their own scheduled trainings or lectures.
Linking SAPPTA to ZITF 2026 theme, “Connected Economies, Competitive Industries,” he said: “No economy stays connected, and no industry stays competitive, without skilled people, while SAPPTA addresses the human capital pillar of the ZITF theme.”
Dr Ruswa said connected economies require procurement officers, suppliers, and regulators who speak the same professional language, apply the same ethical standards, and trust the same systems where SAPPTA’s regional training and harmonised curriculum creates that common ground.
He added: “Competitive industries need professionals who understand contract management, e-procurement, and value-for-money analysis; SAPPTA’s flagship Public Procurement Management Diploma, delivered by 30 certified Trainers of Trainers, produces exactly that workforce. Our exhibition at this trade showcase has also placed SAPPTA as one of the products for promotion.”
Dr Ruswa said they will show Zimbabwe that building competitive industries starts with building competitive people.-herald
