Mwanza. Tanzania has officially launched a digital platform for handling public procurement complaints and appeals, marking a significant step towards greater transparency and efficiency in government contracting.
Finance Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba unveiled the new Complaints and Appeal Management Module within the National e-Government Strategy (NeST) during a training session in Mwanza on Tuesday, February 4.
Dr Nchemba, in a speech read by Public Procurement Policy Commissioner, Dr Frederick Mwakibinga, highlighted the module’s numerous benefits, including reduced time and costs for bidders and government agencies, minimized opportunities for corruption, and enhanced transparency and accountability.
“This new module simplifies the entire process of submitting complaints and appeals, enabling faster and more efficient processing, saving both time and resources,” Dr Nchemba said.
He urged all stakeholders to embrace the digital system.
The launch follows successful training sessions for stakeholders, beginning with the Coastal Zone (including Dar es Salaam, Coast, Tanga, and Morogoro) in May 2024, and now continuing in the Lake Zone with the Mwanza event.
Executive Secretary of the Public Procurement Appeals Authority (PPAA), James Sando, said under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership, the PPAA has resolved 162 cases, blocking contract awards in 35 tenders worth approximately Sh583.6 billion.
“These interventions prevented the government from entering into potentially detrimental agreements, safeguarding public funds and ensuring timely development,” Mr Sando noted.
He said that the blocked contracts were destined for bidders lacking either the financial capacity or the technical qualifications required.
Mr Sando also announced the PPAA’s collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, the Attorney General’s Office, and other relevant institutions in drafting the new Public Procurement Act of 2023 and the Public Procurement Regulations of 2024, published in the Government Gazette on January 31, 2025 (GN No. 65/2025).
These legal updates align with the new digital system, further strengthening the framework for transparent and accountable public procurement in Tanzania.
