The Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) Policy Framework that was approved by the Cabinet on October 18 is a milestone in the country’s pursuit of sustainable development and green economic growth, officials have said.

They made the observation as Rwanda Public Procurement Authority (RPPA) held a media briefing on the new policy, at its headquarters in Kigali, on Friday, October 25.

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RPPA officials indicated that the framework would enable public institutions to make more informed purchasing decisions that not only consider the price and quality of goods, services, and works, but also consider their environmental and social impacts.

It also aligns with Rwanda’s broader strategic goals, including Vision 2050 and the National Strategy for Transformation, as well as international commitments under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on climate change.

RPPA Director General Joyeuse Uwingeneye said the approval of the Sustainable Public Procurement Policy Framework expresses the Government of Rwanda’s vision for a greener and more inclusive economy.

"This further marks a significant step into the Government of Rwanda’s efforts to integrate sustainability into all aspects of governance. By leveraging the public procurement system, Rwanda aims to stimulate the market for green products, create new jobs in the green economy, and contribute to global climate goals,” she observed.

On the environmental side, she said, focus will be on how public entities can procure products that ensure value for money through considering life-cycle costing, but also that have zero or reduced harm to the environment.

Life-cycle costing is a method of adding up all the costs that will be incurred on a product or service, starting from its initial cost to its end of life.

"Sometimes you find that a person [supplier] provided equipment to you at a low price, but you find that the money you spent on its maintenance is more than what you spent while buying,” she said, citing air conditioners. She pointed out that this means the initial price of a given equipment may be higher than that of another, the entire expenditure – until product disposal – proves it to be more cost-effective, hence beneficial to the government and the country.

For instance, she said, a person may buy a fridge at a low price, but the cost of energy to run it is high.

By getting rid of the single-use plastic bottles in public offices, the benefits include addressing plastic waste, and saving energy consumed while making them, she said, giving an example of how the policy seeks to ensure efficiency.

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REMA Director General Juliet Kabera said this policy is a game-changer in the greening of Rwanda agenda. She noted that without the policy, it was hard to implement many strategies meant to address climate change and ensure environmental protection.

The impact expected from the policy includes a reduction of waste and pollution, as well as the creation of green jobs through the production of sustainable materials that it prioritises.

"Without this policy and the criteria, and the standards embedded in that, you can only purchase what the bidders give you. But with this policy, we are going to set standards. We are going to say that these are the standards that we want you to respect when you are bringing products, and services to us in the government,” she said, adding that the private sector will follow suit in terms of consuming and bringing on the market what is needed.

In a press release from RPPA, Elmas Arisoy, a Procurement Manager at World Bank’s East and Southern African Region, said the bank’s support for Rwanda's SPP framework is a key investment in a more sustainable and resilient economy.

"We are confident that the Sustainable Public Procurement Framework will be a powerful tool for achieving Rwanda’s vision for a green, prosperous, and sustainable future. We are working together to ensure that the SPP framework is effectively implemented and delivers tangible results,” she said.