Bulawayo councillors raise alarm over outsider-dominated tenders

Bulawayo councillors have raised concern over what they describe as the disproportionate awarding of municipal tenders to companies based outside the city, warning that the trend could weaken the local economy and limit opportunities for home-grown businesses.

The councillors are calling for deliberate measures to strengthen Bulawayo-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs), enabling them to compete more effectively for city contracts and retain economic activity within the metropolitan area.

Responding to the concerns, Bulawayo City Council Chamber Secretary Mrs Sikhangele Zhou said the local authority was working to improve the competitiveness of local firms and support their participation in procurement processes.

She said capacity-building and training initiatives were needed to help businesses understand bidding requirements and effectively use the Electronic Government Procurement (eGP) system, which has replaced manual tendering processes.

"Any supplier interested in available opportunities can access published tenders through the system. However, there is a need for local businesses to familiarise themselves with the platform as some have indicated difficulties in using it," she said.

Mrs Zhou added that the eGP system strengthens transparency and accountability by creating a digital audit trail that allows the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) and other oversight bodies to monitor procurement activity.

She also suggested collaboration with organisations that have previously assisted local firms in navigating public procurement systems.

The issue was raised in the latest Finance and Development Committee report covering January to March 2026, as part of ongoing discussions on procurement efficiency and local economic empowerment.

Ward 3 Councillor Mxolisi Mahlangu said prioritising local companies was essential to sustaining Bulawayo's economic base.

"The circulation of money within the city is important because it strengthens the local economy and contributes to the viability of Bulawayo," he said.

Ward 5 Councillor Dumisani Nkomo urged the council to implement recommendations without delay and called for clear timelines on reform measures, including closer engagement with PRAZ.

Ward 26 Councillor Mpumelelo Moyo, who chaired the committee meeting, warned that continued reliance on outside contractors risked undermining the city's development objectives, stressing the need for fair and meaningful participation by local businesses in municipal procurement processes.