Namibia allows unqualified personnel to oversee public procurement, World Bank report finds

By: Hertha Ekandjo

Photo: Contributed

A World Bank report has raised red flags over Namibia’s public procurement system, revealing that individuals without formal qualifications in procurement or related disciplines are permitted to serve in key roles within the public sector.

According to the Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS) report, procurement in Namibia is not yet recognized as a profession. As a result, there is no legal requirement for personnel working in Procurement Management Units, Bid Evaluation Committees, or Procurement Committees to hold any professional procurement qualifications.

This gap, the report suggests, undermines the effectiveness and integrity of the procurement process. It warns that the current approach treats procurement as a routine, compliance-based task, rather than a strategic function critical to service delivery and fiscal responsibility.

The report, launched on Thursday by the Ministry of Finance, recommends that Namibia urgently professionalise procurement by establishing qualification requirements and elevating the function across all stages from planning and market analysis to contract awarding and management.

It calls for a shift away from the current compliance-focused approach, advocating for more holistic management of the procurement cycle from needs assessment and market analysis to contract awarding and management.

The report also highlighted limited civil society engagement in procurement oversight, noting that only a few Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are currently active in monitoring procurement activities in Namibia.

While there is a perception among stakeholders of inadequate consultation, the Procurement Policy Unit (PPU) maintains that CSOs are engaged, particularly in the development of major policy changes.

Despite this, the report points to a lack of structured support and capacity-building opportunities for CSOs from the PPU or public entities. Moreover, there are no legal provisions mandating the participation of civil society in procurement processes.

To enhance transparency and accountability, the World Bank recommends the establishment of a legal and institutional framework that enables direct CSO involvement throughout the procurement process from planning to contract monitoring.

This, it says, would strengthen contract performance and help ensure more efficient use of public resources.