The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) says full adoption of the Malawi National Electronic Procurement System (MANePS) will help reduce corruption in Public Procurement among other things.

Acting Director General for PPDA, Timothy Kalembo, made the remarks during a MANePS training for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Zomba.

Kalembo said MANePS enhances transparency and accountability in public procurement.

He said the system leaves less room for collusion and other practices that can disadvantage suppliers.

“MANePS has come to curb some of the anomalies or perceived challenges that people had against public procurement in general, including corruption,” Kalembo said.

He urged suppliers to take the system seriously and master its use.

Kalembo said suppliers are central to public procurement because they provide goods, works and services required by government institutions.

He said better knowledge of MANePS will enable suppliers to compete fairly for government contracts.

It will also help reduce errors during the bidding process.

Kalembo said MANePS presents significant opportunities for MSMEs.

He said the system streamlines preferential treatment for small businesses in line with the PPDA Act No. 7 of 2025.

He said the transition to electronic procurement is part of government’s efforts to make public procurement more transparent, efficient and accessible.

Kalembo also assured suppliers that PPDA will continue supporting them to access and use the system adding that digital innovation should not result in digital exclusion.

“Suppliers are central to public procurement because they provide the goods, works and services required by government institutions,” he said.

PPDA is therefore taking MANePS closer to suppliers through the nationwide trainings being conducted.

During the sessions the Authority also provides onsite support for registration and participation in Requests for Quotations and tenders.

Kalembo said MANePS makes it easier for suppliers to access tender information and submit bids before deadlines.