10. Public Procurement Reforms in Tanzania: Dispersion of Corruption and Governance

Public procurement reform has been a core focus of the Tanzanian government from early 1960s to date. From independence today public procurement has been given high premium due to the fact that it is directly linked to economic development as well as poverty reduction. In the early 1960s and 1970s, public procurement system in Tanzania was highly centralized as almost of goods and services were procured and supplied by government agencies. These agencies include medical stores, Veterinary stores, Maji store, government press printers, and others. These government stores were expected to procure and deliver quality goods and services to ministries, departments and agencies, and prevent extravagance. However, procurement procedures were characterized by a number of deficiencies which created loopholes for corruption and financial misappropriations. In addition, accountability on the part of office holders was nearly non-existed. It also led to laxity in enforcing discipline at work, erosion of public service ethics, corruption, abuse and misuse of authority.