Public procurement

Public procurement is the acquisition of goods or services by a government department or institution. The process may be divided into three broad stages: (i) planning (ii) tendering and (iii) post-award. The size, the number and complexity of procurement transactions, combined with the often high level of discretion enjoyed by procurement officials provide many incentives and opportunities for corruption in all stages of the process.

Corruption in public procurement distorts competition and can reduce the quality, sustainability and safety of public projects and purchases. Ultimately, corrupt public procurement practices can lead to public funds being wasted on an enormous scale, with the benefits that these funds should have brought disappearing into private pockets, further eroding citizen trust in government.