Africa-Press – Tanzania. MZUMBE University’s Dar es Salaam Campus College is currently hosting a high-level workshop on the Sustainable Procurement Capacity Building Training Programme for World Bank–financed projects in Tanzania, a programme designed to strengthen procurement practices, improve accountability, and align national implementation with international standards.
The training, which brings together procurement and contract management professionals involved in World Bank–funded projects, is part of broader efforts to enhance transparency, efficiency, and value for money in the management of public and donor-supported resources.
Speaking on the programme, the Deputy Principal of Mzumbe University–Dar es Salaam Campus College, Prof Omary Swallehe, said the institution was hosting the training over several days as part of its long-standing mandate in capacity building, consultancy, and professional development.
He noted that Mzumbe University has built a strong national reputation in procurement studies and training, making it well positioned to support reforms in public and donor-funded procurement systems.
According to Prof Swallehe, the current training targets procurement professionals working on World Bank–financed projects across Tanzania and represents the first cohort under the programme. The training consists of six modules, four of which are being delivered during the current 14-day session, with the remaining two scheduled for April. He added that additional cohorts are expected to follow, depending on demand and institutional needs.
“The primary expectation for participants working on World Bank projects is to gain a comprehensive understanding of sustainable procurement practices that align with international standards,” Prof Swallehe said. “Participants should develop stronger skills in integrating sustainability considerations into procurement processes and contract management, while also improving collaboration and experience-sharing among peers.”
He emphasized that the impact of the training is expected to go beyond individual capacity building. By strengthening procurement practices, participants are expected to contribute to improved project outcomes, reduced risks, and positive social and environmental impacts in the communities where World Bank–financed projects are implemented.
On the specific skills and knowledge areas covered, Prof Swallehe explained that the programme focuses on a wide range of competencies critical to sustainable and ethical procurement. These include a solid understanding of sustainable procurement principles, with emphasis on environmental and social considerations; enhanced contract management skills to ensure compliance and responsible supplier practices; and improved capacity for risk assessment and mitigation related to sustainability challenges.
In addition, participants are being trained in stakeholder engagement techniques to promote transparency and inclusiveness, as well as monitoring and evaluation methods to assess the effectiveness of sustainable procurement initiatives and measure their outcomes.
Despite growing recognition of the importance of sustainable procurement, Prof Swallehe acknowledged that Tanzanian institutions continue to face significant challenges in implementation. Among the key constraints he identified are limited awareness and training among procurement professionals, regulatory and policy frameworks that do not always clearly support sustainable procurement practices, and financial limitations that make it difficult to adopt sustainable alternatives.
He also cited cultural resistance to change, particularly among staff accustomed to traditional procurement methods, as well as broader capacity and resource gaps that hinder effective implementation and monitoring.
“This training is designed to address these challenges by building both technical competence and practical confidence among procurement professionals,” he said. “By equipping participants with relevant knowledge and tools, we aim to support gradual but meaningful change in institutional procurement practices.”
Looking ahead, Prof Swallehe said Mzumbe University intends to leverage the programme to strengthen procurement capacity nationally and contribute to Tanzania’s broader development goals. He outlined several strategies, including conducting applied research on sustainable procurement practices to inform policy and academic discourse, expanding training and knowledge dissemination through workshops and seminars, and strengthening partnerships with local and international organisations.
He added that insights from the programme would also feed into curriculum development at the university, ensuring that future procurement professionals are trained with skills that respond to evolving national and global demands.
On inclusivity, Prof Swallehe stressed that while the current programme targets professionals directly involved in procurement and contract management for World Bank–financed projects, it is important to ensure that midlevel professionals and women also benefit from such capacitybuilding initiatives. He noted that future strategies could include actively encouraging their participation, creating mentorship opportunities between senior and mid-level professionals, offering tailored workshops, and facilitating networking platforms to promote knowledge exchange across experience levels and gender.
Complementing Prof Swallehe’s remarks, Dr Maige Mwasimba, a lecturer at the Dar es Salaam Campus College, coordinator of the programme, and a key figure behind the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding that enabled the training, provided further insights into the programme’s design and objectives.
Responding to questions on how the training balances international standards with local realities, Dr Mwasimba explained that while World Bank–funded projects are anchored in internationally recognised procurement standards, their success ultimately depends on effective application within local institutional contexts.
“In designing this programme, we were deliberate in ensuring that the training does not remain theoretical or externally imposed,” he said. “The curriculum integrates World Bank Procurement Regulations with Tanzania’s environment by using World Bank frameworks and real project case studies drawn from Tanzanian ministries, agencies, and local government authorities.”
He added that the programme uses problem-based learning, simulations, and practical exercises that reflect the operational realities faced by procurement practitioners, including limited market competition, time pressures, and inter-agency coordination challenges. This approach, he said, equips participants with context-sensitive judgment, enabling them to apply global standards effectively within Tanzanian systems.
On measuring effectiveness, Dr Mwasimba noted that the success of the training would not be judged solely by classroom completion. Instead, a results-oriented monitoring framework has been embedded to track tangible improvements such as better procurement planning, reduced delays, improved documentation quality, and fewer post-review observations from the World Bank.
Participants are also required to develop action plans linked to their respective projects, which will be followed up through posttraining engagement and institutional reporting. This, he said, ensures that learning outcomes translate into real-world improvements rather than remaining a one-off academic exercise.
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Dr Mwasimba further explained that harmonisation between global procurement standards and Tanzania’s legal and regulatory framework is a core strength of the programme. The six modules—four currently being delivered and two scheduled for the next session—are systematically mapped against national laws to clarify areas of alignment, flexibility, and mandatory compliance.
The modules cover the World Bank Procurement Framework, including fraud and corruption; strategic procurement planning, market analysis, and procurement planning; procurement methods and standard procurement documents; and bid and proposal evaluation and complaints handling. According to Dr Mwasimba, this structure allows practitioners to apply principles such as value for money, competition, integrity, and fitness for purpose while remaining compliant with local regulations and responsive to market conditions.
Beyond the current training, Dr Mwasimba said Mzumbe University, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, is positioning the programme as part of a long-term professional development pathway in public and sustainable procurement. Planned initiatives include short courses, executive programmes, digital learning platforms, and certification-aligned modules, as well as the development of communities of practice to support peer learning and mentorship.
Addressing concerns about procurement irregularities, Dr Mwasimba emphasized that regulations alone are insufficient to prevent corruption and mismanagement. The training therefore places strong emphasis on ethical judgment, accountability mechanisms, and practical risk management skills.
“Participants are trained to identify red flags, manage conflicts of interest, document decisions transparently, and apply World Bank fiduciary standards in real procurement scenarios,” he said. “Procurement officers are guardians of public resources, and this programme reinforces that professional responsibility.”
He concluded by describing the Sustainable Procurement Capacity Building Training Programme as a critical initiative for strengthening transparency, efficiency, and accountability in World Bank–financed projects. He urged procurement professionals across government, the private sector, and development organisations to embrace continuous training and professional development, noting that effective and ethical procurement plays a direct role in national development and the well-being of Tanzanian communities.
