KEY POINTS

• Zimbabwe plans to stop defaulting contractors from winning new government tenders.

• All public institutions will be required to check PRAZ’s blacklist before awarding contracts.

• The Bill also proposes annual procurement approvals and expanded oversight powers for PRAZ.

The Zimbabwean government is seeking to prevent contractors who fail to deliver on public projects from securing new government contracts through other ministries and agencies.

Under proposed amendments to the country’s public procurement laws, all ministries, departments and government agencies will be required to check the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) blacklist before awarding public contracts.

The measure is intended to close a gap that has allowed companies accused of breaching contractual obligations in one government department to continue bidding for projects elsewhere in the public sector.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi announced the proposed changes during proceedings in the National Assembly, where lawmakers debated and passed the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Amendment Bill, 2025.

The Bill will now proceed to the Senate for further consideration before it can become law.

Government seeks stricter enforcement against defaulting contractors

Ziyambi said the reforms would strengthen the existing debarment system by ensuring that information about contractors who violate procurement rules is shared across the entire government.

He explained that the authority to suspend or blacklist companies already exists under Zimbabwe’s procurement regulations.

PRAZ can currently take action against contractors involved in improper conduct, including collecting payments without delivering the agreed goods or services.

However, the minister said the proposed amendment would make it compulsory for every government procuring entity to consult the debarment list before awarding contracts.

This would prevent a contractor sanctioned by one ministry from securing another public contract simply because a different government department failed to check the company’s record.

Ziyambi said the changes would improve transparency, strengthen accountability and protect public funds from contractors who fail to meet their obligations.

He added that the new provisions would complement existing legal remedies for breach of contract rather than replace them.

Reforms target public spending and infrastructure projects

The proposed amendments come as Zimbabwe prepares to expand infrastructure development under its National Development Strategy 2.

The government says stronger procurement controls are necessary to ensure that public resources are spent responsibly and that contractors selected for major projects have the capacity and track record to deliver.

Ziyambi said the reforms were designed to improve the operational effectiveness of public procurement and ensure that government departments consistently apply the same standards when selecting contractors.

He also acknowledged the role of parliamentary scrutiny in improving the legislation, saying the government’s objective was to establish a procurement framework that serves Zimbabweans fairly and transparently.

Minister gets power to restrict sensitive procurement information

Beyond the blacklisting requirements, the Bill introduces other changes to Zimbabwe’s public procurement framework.

One provision would give the responsible minister authority to restrict access to certain procurement information where its public disclosure could affect national interests.

Bidders would also be required to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information obtained during procurement processes.

The proposed legislation would further expand PRAZ’s responsibilities. In addition to its regulatory functions, the authority would be empowered to evaluate how effectively government departments comply with procurement requirements.

These changes are intended to strengthen oversight and improve compliance across public institutions.

Procurement approvals to become annual

Another major adjustment would require government departments to obtain procurement approval every year instead of once every two years.

Ziyambi said the change would align procurement planning more closely with the government’s annual budget cycle and make it easier to monitor public expenditure.

The Bill also proposes removing the requirement for departments to include international standards in tender documents where those standards are unnecessary.

The government says this adjustment is aimed at reducing unnecessary administrative procedures and making procurement processes less complicated.

Bill moves to Senate for further consideration

Following its passage in the National Assembly, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Amendment Bill, 2025, will be considered by the Senate.

It must complete the remaining legislative process before it can become law.

If enacted, the reforms would require all government ministries, departments and agencies to consult PRAZ’s debarment list before awarding public contracts.

The changes could make it more difficult for defaulting contractors to move between government institutions and continue securing public projects despite previous failures.