Members of Parliament on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have pointed to issues in the draft law governing a proposed Institute of Procurement Professionals, saying its roles could overlap with those of the Higher Education Council (HEC) and the Rwanda Public Procurement Authority (RPPA). The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, who presented the bill during a session chaired by PAC chairperson Valens Muhakwa, said the Institute of Procurement Professionals would focus on training, registering and licensing procurement practitioners, regulating their practice and related purposes. ALSO READ: Why public procurement matters Murangwa highlighted that institute would offer services such as membership opportunities, training programs and certifications to enhance technical and professional capacities and align procurement practices in Rwanda with international standards. MP Barthélemy Kalinijabo emphasized that the institute should focus on coordinating, monitoring and promoting procurement professionals, enhancing ethical standards, facilitating knowledge transfer and safeguarding the profession rather than functioning as an academic institution. This view was echoed by MP Liliane Umutesi who suggested that the institute should prioritize offering short courses, modules and professional certificates instead of academic programmes. ALSO READ: Govt makes case for proposed public procurement institute Minister Murangwa noted that in many countries, professional certification is a prerequisite for procurement jobs and emphasized the need for stakeholder collaboration to define the roles and responsibilities of the proposed institute. He also stressed that the institute's establishment would be timely as poor procurement practices are likely to lead to significant financial losses. ALSO READ: New public procurement policy focuses on efficiency, environmental protection Rose Mukankomeje, Director General of the Higher Education Council, acknowledged that while the Institute of Procurement Professionals would take on duties including some typically performed by universities, its primary focus should be on practical applications. Although procurement and supply chain management programmes already exist, students should be assessed to measure their proficiency in procurement and be provided with adequate practical training. While we support the purpose and mission of the Institute of Procurement Professionals, certification should be handled by another body; you cannot both provide training and certify yourself,” Mukankomeje said. ALSO READ: Rwanda implements comprehensive reforms to enhance transparency, combat corruption in public procurement According to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, for Rwanda to align its procurement practices with international standards, it must adhere to international frameworks, establish a strong legal and regulatory system and set up a national authority like the Institute of Procurement Professionals to oversee compliance. The country aims to produce procurement professionals capable of competing at the international level.
