The government aims to address challenges such as gaps in procurement practices, insufficient technical expertise, limited knowledge among procurement officers, non-compliance with bidding regulations, and violations of procurement laws through the establishment of a National Institute of Procurement.

While introducing the draft law establishing the institute in Parliamanent on Wednesday, November 20, Richard Tushabe, the Minister of State in charge of the National Treasury at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN), emphasized the need to overcome these obstacles to ensure Rwanda develops a robust pool of skilled procurement professionals.

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"Procurement rules are often disregarded, contracts are not upheld, and there is a significant gap in the professionalization of the procurement sector. This includes a lack of certifications, academic qualifications, and clear guidelines,” Tushabe said.

To address these issues, he said, the Institute of Procurement is necessary.

"This institute will broaden the scope of procurement standards, unify all professionals in the sector under one umbrella, and provide essential training and certifications, ensuring a more competent and accountable procurement workforce,” he said.

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According to MP Valens Muhakwa, the work of the proposed Institute of Procurement might overlap with the roles of existing institutions, such as the Rwanda Public Procurement Authority and the Higher Education Council.

Muhakwa pointed out that the institute's mandate to provide diploma and degree equivalences for individuals who studied abroad, along with its governance and regulatory responsibilities in the procurement sector, could potentially create conflicts with these institutions.

The institute is not intended to replace existing institutions but rather to focus on continuous professional development and certification in the procurement field, Tushabe said.

Through specialized training, he said, it aims to equip professionals with the critical skills needed to optimize purchasing processes, strengthen supplier partnerships, and drive cost efficiency.

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Additionally, training will support career advancement and fosters strategic decision-making in the procurement sector, Tushabe added.

The Institute of Procurement membership will allow free and fair competition, minimize corruption in the system, create confidence, credibility, and reflect transparency, good governance on the part of the county's leadership, he said.

Tushabe emphasized that the institute is about competition whereby the modern system of public procurement is open competition, universal access is unrestricted, best efficiency in the use of public funds, efficient use of public funds, achievable and realizable public programmes and projects at minimum cost.

Under the Institute of Procurement, certified and licensed professionals will receive ongoing training tailored to their expertise and career levels. The institute will work in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) and the Higher Education Council (HEC) to issue equivalences, ensuring that its programmes are conducted in compliance with government regulations.

Some Members of Parliament expressed a preference for the institute to function as a private entity. However, the government in partnership with the World Bank will provide technical and financial assistance during its initial stages.

The proposal to establish the Institute of Procurement was presented as draft legislation, debated and approved in a plenary session, and will now proceed to committee review for further consideration.