Stakeholders have called for a more decentralised and responsive public procurement system to drive economic transformation in South Africa.The joint submission to the National Treasury highlights the need for reforms that balance decentralisation with robust governance to prevent corruption.Key themes include the strategic role of procurement in advancing industrialisation, localisation, and black economic empowerment.

The draft regulations, under review, are seen as critical to modernising public procurement processes and ensuring they align with constitutional principles of fairness and inclusivity.

Stakeholders argue that the current reforms must address structural inequality and support the growth of small businesses, cooperatives, and township economies.

The eight thematic areas of the submission focus on developmental procurement, constitutional transformation, and the implementation of preferential procurement frameworks.

Experts stress that these reforms are essential for creating an equitable economic landscape and strengthening national efforts towards inclusive growth.