In 2016, the World Bank formally implemented a massive reform of the guidance it applies to procurements conducted under World Bank-financed projects.

Because of the prominent role that the World Bank plays in shaping works procurement policy, the Bank’s procurement reforms have had a profound impact on procurement in many countries around the world.

The World Bank’s Works Procurement Framework 2016 was approved by World Bank Board on July 21, 2015 to modernize the procurement policy and maximize the strategic role of procurement in achieving key development effectiveness goals.

Mandatory for all lending operations after July 1, 2016, the new Framework emphasizes flexibility, quality, and greater value for public spending, while enabling adaptation to country contexts.

It recognizes that countries are looking to be more efficient in their public spending so that they can invest more in basic public services such as education, health and infrastructure services and enrich development outcomes.

The reform is the result of extensive consultations in almost 100 countries and allows greater flexibility for each operation to identify the right procurement approach; an extended range of procurement practices and options; more tailored, context-specific approaches for fragile and conflict-afflicted states; and more hands-on support from Bank staff to help clients in capacity-building and institution-strengthening.

Since countries in Africa such as South Sudan, Kenya and Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania have a number of projects that are already being funded or are likely to be funded by World Bank, they need to undertake effective procurement management of works that leads to greater value for money based on World Bank procurement policy, procedures, regulations and guidelines. This will only be possible if the citizens possess the required technical and professional competencies required in managing works procurements for such World Bank funded projects.

This short course, therefore, seeks to train high quality workers of the members states of East African Common Market on managing procurements for World Bank funded projects for the optimal benefit of their economies, current and future generations.