09 Feb 2025

In an effort toward optimising government resources, the Botswana Public Service College (BPSC) and the Public Procurement Regulation Authority (PPRA) have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

This collaboration aims to ensure that the government derives value for money from every expenditure through timely project implementation, high-quality service delivery, and ethical practices to mitigate fraud and delivery risks.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, BPSC Executive Director Mr Kagiso Kemoen emphasised that the PPRA possessed the necessary tools to eliminate procurement-related issues within the public service. He stated that the partnership was pivotal in supporting the government’s commitment to excellence in resource management and achieving value for money.

“A MoU between the two parties is indispensable, as it reinforces our dedication to empowering the public service to better serve Batswana and to improve procurement practices within the sector,” Mr Kemoeng remarked.

Highlighting procurement as a persistent challenge in government service delivery, he noted that funds often ended up in the wrong hands rather than contributing to economic growth. The BPSC, he said, was prepared to assist in effectively implementing the revised Public Procurement Law of 2022 and other necessary reforms.

Mr Kemoen stressed the urgency of facilitating a transition for public servants to abandon outdated practices and adopt the new regulations for a more efficient and effective public service. He shared that, alongside the PPRA, they aimed to broaden the procurement scope through diverse training programmes tailored for officers across various levels.

For his part,  PPRA Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr Lucas Kennekae expressed that the MoU represented a comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing public service effectiveness through training and skill development in public procurement.

“The partnership fosters a wide-ranging capacity-building footprint across the public service and establishes a centralised training hub to address current and future gaps in procurement expertise,” he stated.

Mr Kennekae further highlighted the historical commitment of both entities to human capital development and the need to continually improve the skills and knowledge of public service professionals.

He advocated for celebrating successes to promote a culture of excellence while analysing failures to develop corrective strategies to prevent recurring issues.  To bolster the initiative, Mr Kennekae proposed the formation of a joint committee to oversee and assess progress made under the MoU.

“The composition of this committee will be collaboratively determined, ensuring a balanced representation of skills, knowledge, and authority from both organisations,” he added. ENDS