Public Procurement as Economic Development Tool in African Nations

Abstract

This article examined the role of public procurement as a tool for economic development in African nations, highlighting its potential to drive growth, create employment, and support local industries. Public procurement accounted for a significant portion of government spending across Africa, yet its impact on economic development had been hindered by challenges such as corruption, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and limited technological capacity. Through a desktop review, this study explored the ways African countries have used procurement to advance social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and industrial growth. Case studies from Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, and Rwanda illustrated effective strategies such as inclusive procurement policies, green procurement practices, local content requirements, and digital procurement systems. These examples demonstrated how targeted reforms could help overcome existing barriers and maximize the benefits of procurement in fostering sustainable development. The study concluded that public procurement, when aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and national development agendas, had the potential to become a powerful economic driver. Key recommendations included enhancing transparency through digital platforms, promoting inclusive procurement, strengthening local content policies, integrating sustainability criteria, and building institutional capacity. These strategies offered a pathway for African governments to transform public procurement into a central pillar of economic development, contributing to poverty reduction, industrialization, and social progress across the continent.

Keywords: Public Procurement, Economic Development, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) & African Nations