Corruption in public procurement the case of infrastructure in Africa: study report

Abstract

Africa’s positive development prospects and the ‘Africa rising’ narrative continue to be tarnished by the perception of rampant corruption on the continent. Indeed, corruption affects socioeconomic development, notably by discouraging foreign investments; creating distortions in resource allocation; reducing the global competitiveness of many African countries’ and even diminishing the quality of service delivery and public infrastructure. The study’s specific objective is to provide an investigative and updated assessment on the impact of corruption on public procurement in Africa. It also examines the negative domino effect that corruption in procurement has on infrastructure development. This paper also attempts to provide policy recommendations on public procurement reforms, which are needed to reduce corrupt practices in procurement. It is critical for African policy-makers to draw lessons on public procurement from within and outside the continent, although ultimately reforms targeted specifically at fighting corruption, should be country-owned and country-specific, for them to have the desired outcomes.