Public Procurement for Sustainable Development in East Africa
Abstract
Through sustainable public procurement, governments can lead by example and deliver key policy objectives. Sustainable public procurement enables governments to meet environmental goals such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving energy and water efficiency and supporting recycling. The social benefits of sustainable public procurement may include poverty reduction, improved equity and respect for core labor standards. When governments face budget constraints, one way to combat the corrosive economic effects of such constraints is to use public procurement strategically to target growth and job creation. Sustainable development, requires governments and organisations to consider the social, economic and environmental aspects of their operations, with no single aspect dominating. This paper sought to assess public procurement for sustainable development in East Africa. The study used a desk study review methodology where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify main themes. A critical review of empirical literature was conducted to assess the public procurement for sustainable development in East Africa. The study posits that government procurement should also be used to bring development to deprived areas in the nation through margins of preference and other measures in the procurement process. A nation stands to benefit in the long-term if sustainable public procurement is implemented. Sustainable public procurement is one major way of seeking to achieve the UNDP’s good governance goal of realizing development that gives priority to the poor, advances women, sustains the environment and creates needed opportunities for employment and other livelihoods.
Keywords: Public Procurement, Sustainable Development & East Africa.
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