非洲AI在政府采购中的运用

… In this study, we argue for delineating public procurements' role in the human-centred AI (… potential of artificial intelligence in Africa. A Brookings institute foresight Africa report 2020. …

Corruption is a challenge that hinders countries’ development. The huge spending on public procurement, particularly on capital projects, makes it highly prone to corruption. The conventional paper-based procurement process has been linked to inefficiency and corruption in procurement practices. Given the expanding role of technology in an increasingly interconnected world, many leading experts suggest that technology can be a powerful tool to reduce opportunities for corruption in public procurement. In the past three decades, the use of technology, including electronic procurement (e-procurement) and artificial intelligence (AI), in public procurement has globally gained popularity. However, currently, technology in public procurement is not widely used in the African continent. This paper's main hypothesis is that technology can have an impact on reducing corruption in public procurement in Africa, with a particular emphasis on the prospects and challenges for technology adoption in Ghana and South Africa. The paper analyzes the types of initiatives that helped technology implementation in other countries and the utility of adopting such mechanisms in the context of the subject countries under review. The study investigates the critical success factors for adopting technology in public procurement activities in Ghana and South Africa using qualitative data analysis and mixed theories. This paper aims to assist public procurement practitioners, government entities, and funding organizations in a better understanding of the technology role, including public e-procurement and AI, in their efforts to minimize the scourge of corruption in public procurement.

Background: The South African public sector uses procurement and supply chains to address service delivery mandates. This approach must be based on a system that is inclined to ‘value for money, open and effective competition, ethics and fair dealing, accountability and reporting, and equity’. The current system is plagued by biasedness, poor record handling and insufficient contract administration.Aim: The study aimed to link the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing with sustainable public procurement and supply chain management (SCM). Furthermore, the study investigates how Industry 4.0 technologies can improve process efficiency in public procurement.Setting: This study focuses on public procurement within the South African context.Methods: The study followed an exploratory qualitative methodology approach. Data were collected by one-on-one interviews and analysed through ATLAS.ti 24 following a thematic analysis approach.Results: The research revealed that IoT and cloud computing bring sustainability, stability and efficiency to the process. Furthermore, the study revealed other useful technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics and blockchain.Conclusion: Utilising IoT and cloud computing in public procurement and SCM is best option for the South African government. They do not only bring efficiency to the process but also improve the advancement of preferential procurement and improve green economy initiatives.Contribution: This study contributed to the body of knowledge on the usage of technology in public procurement and to the sustainable development goals of reducing inequality and climate action.

Background: This study explores the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies within the South African public procurement system, addressing entrenched challenges such as fragmented processes, limited transparency and operational inefficiencies. Objectives: This study examines how Industry 4.0 technologies can be strategically integrated into the South African public procurement system to enhance efficiency, transparency and accountability. Method: The study followed a qualitative desktop research design which synthesises legal frameworks, policy documents and academic literature to assess how digital innovations, including artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, big data analytics, and cloud computing, can enable more accountable and efficient procurement practices. Results: Findings indicate that these technologies, when strategically embedded across key supply chain management (SCM) elements, namely demand management, acquisition, sourcing and supplier selection, evaluation and adjudication of bids, contract performance monitoring, and risk management, enhance predictive planning, reduce procedural bottlenecks and reinforce integrity in public procurement. Conclusion: The research demonstrates that digital enablement can reposition procurement from a compliance-driven function to a dynamic governance mechanism responsive to service delivery needs. Contribution: The study recommends the formulation of a national digital procurement strategy, investment in secure and interoperable infrastructure, capacity development for procurement officials, and the piloting of digital platforms in high-expenditure sectors. Managerial implications include the need for institutional agility, cross-functional innovation and leadership commitment to digital transformation. Through the alignment of technological adoption with constitutional values and developmental priorities, public procurement can serve as a strategic lever for inclusive governance and systemic reform.

This study examined the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on procurement management performance at the College of Business Education (CBE), Mbeya Campus, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and value for money. Employing a descriptive research design with a quantitative approach, data were collected from 40 purposively selected participants—including procurement officers, auditors, and accountants—through structured questionnaires. The study applied descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analyses to evaluate the influence of AI technologies such as Robotics, Process Automation, and Machine Learning on procurement outcomes. Findings revealed that all three AI technologies significantly and positively affect procurement performance. Machine Learning demonstrated the strongest impact, particularly enhancing transparency and value for money, followed by Process Automation and Robotics. High Cronbach’s Alpha scores (≥0.8) confirmed the internal consistency of the instruments used, while data normality tests validated the use of parametric statistical techniques. The Pearson correlation coefficients showed strong and statistically significant relationships between AI tools and performance indicators, especially between Process Automation and Transparency (r = 0.642) and Machine Learning and Value for Money (r = 0.612). Regression results further supported Machine Learning as the most influential predictor of procurement performance (β = 0.581, p = 0.001). Despite positive perceptions of AI integration, performance indicators like accountability and transparency showed room for improvement, suggesting a gap between technological adoption and its effective utilization. The study recommends capacity building for procurement practitioners to optimize AI applications and improve procurement outcomes in public institutions.

… that procurement matters for AI governance is not new, and this paper does not claim otherwise. The OECD's Governing with Artificial Intelligence … to digital public procurement in Africa. …

Ghana's annual public procurement expenditure of $3.5 billion, accounting for 11% of GDP, serves as a significant but underleveraged framework for addressing the country's interconnected issues of digital exclusion, climate vulnerability, and import dependency. This research goes beyond traditional administrative perspectives, introducing a transformative "Procurement 4.0" framework aimed at strategically harnessing fiscal power. The framework integrates artificial intelligence, blockchain, and multi-stakeholder governance to align procurement with three key imperatives: facilitating digital leapfrogging through AI-driven tender platforms that enhance SME access, catalyzing green industrialization with mandatory sustainability criteria and life-cycle assessments, and promoting SME-driven self-sufficiency via enforceable participation quotas and capability development. The study utilizes policy archaeology (2010-2024), multi-criteria scenario modeling, and stakeholder gap analysis to illustrate that recalibrating strategic procurement can enhance SME contributions to GDP from 17% to 25%, attain 40% green procurement compliance by 2035, and achieve notable AI-driven efficiency savings. The findings provide a clear and practical framework for Ghana and comparable Global South economies aiming to transform public spending into drivers of technological sovereignty, climate resilience, and inclusive structural change, fundamentally reshaping the role of procurement in fostering prosperity.

… developing African countries similar to Nigeria utilize websites that publish procurement … Nigeria’s procurement law requires that all public procurement records be advertised and …

The advent of Digital Procurement 4.0 marks a transformative shift in government contracting systems, integrating artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and automation to enhance transparency, efficiency, and ethical compliance. This study explores the redesign of public procurement frameworks using AI-driven models that ensure not only cost-effectiveness but also adherence to legal, ethical, and performance standards. Traditional procurement systems often grapple with inefficiencies, corruption, lack of accountability, and delayed service delivery. Digital Procurement 4.0 presents an opportunity to counter these limitations through predictive analytics, blockchain-based audit trails, robotic process automation (RPA), and intelligent contract management systems. This paper proposes a comprehensive AI-driven framework that embeds real-time risk detection, compliance verification, vendor performance monitoring, and ethical safeguards throughout the procurement lifecycle. By integrating natural language processing (NLP) for contract analysis, machine learning algorithms for bid evaluation, and automated compliance checkers, governments can ensure fairness, reduce fraud, and promote value-for-money outcomes. Moreover, digital twin technologies enable simulations that forecast procurement outcomes under varying socio-economic scenarios, thus enhancing strategic decision-making. The research draws on recent case studies from digitally advanced governments, demonstrating how AI integration has improved procurement efficiency by up to 45%, reduced fraud incidences by 30%, and enhanced stakeholder trust. Additionally, the study outlines a regulatory and governance blueprint to mitigate algorithmic bias and ensure accountability in AI-led procurement systems. Particular emphasis is placed on ethical algorithm design, data transparency, and participatory oversight mechanisms involving civil society and independent watchdogs. Ultimately, this paper underscores the national importance of adopting Digital Procurement 4.0 in public sector governance. As public expenditure accounts for over 12% of global GDP, optimizing this function through technology has widespread implications for fiscal sustainability, public trust, and socio-economic development. This research offers policy recommendations, implementation strategies, and a roadmap for governments aiming to build ethical, efficient, and AI-enabled contracting ecosystems.

Background: Public procurement in South Africa is challenged by conventional methods that pave the way for human interference resulting in fraud and corruption, delays, unaccountability and poor performance of the value chain in the procurement process.Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the Industry 4.0 capabilities for public procurement improvement. To address the challenges presented by the traditional manual procurement systems, the study embarked on a transformative journey by identifying the prospects and benefits of Industry 4.0 technologies in public procurement in South Africa, and the significance and application thereof.Method: The study followed a six-step qualitative research methodology of content and thematic analysis which facilitated an understanding of the procurement process in South Africa and how it can be automated using Industry 4.0 technologies.Results: The study revealed that Industry 4.0 technologies are crucial as they present digitalisation opportunities through platforms such as e-design, e-inform, e-sourcing, e-evaluation and e-contract. The platform will improve the process, encourage legislation compliance and achieve its goals as outlined in the constitution and Public Finance Management Act of 1996.Conclusion: Implementing digital procurement will assist the government in achieving its policy requirements of value for money, open and effective competition, ethics and fair dealings, accountability and reporting, and equity. The technologies represent a strategic response to the challenges facing public procurement.Contribution: The study contributed to the body of knowledge by presenting the prospects and benefits of Industry 4.0 technologies. In addition, it highlighted the significance and application to the South African public sector.

Background: Public procurement plays a pivotal role in the South African economy and accounts for a significant portion of public expenditure. The effective management of procurement processes is crucial for ensuring that money is spent wisely and there is an efficient service delivery. However, the paper-based procurement systems have been plagued by inefficiencies.Objectives: To address the challenges of paper-based procurement systems, the study developed a digital procurement framework. The development of a digital procurement framework for the South African public sector represents a strategic response to these challenges and aims to leverage cutting-edge digital technologies to revolutionise the way that the government procures goods and services.Method: The study followed a qualitative research methodology in which content analysis was used to identify themes. Subsequently, a thematic analysis was conducted to formulate the components of the proposed framework. The study facilitated an understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing.Results: The literature revealed that Industry 4.0 technologies are crucial as they present opportunities which are consistent with legislation like scalability, cost efficiency, collaboration, transparency, accountability and process efficiency.Conclusion: Implementing procurement reforms effectively will result in a public sector procurement system that is responsible, offers value for money and ensures high-quality service delivery.Contribution: The study contributed to the body of knowledge by providing a guide for a digital procurement of South Africa’s public sector and impact of technology on public procurement.

E-procurement adoption is not without its challenges despite facilitating the purchasing process. Hence, this quantitative cross-sectional survey study aimed to examine the e-procurement adoption barriers encountered by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Republic of South Sudan. The 300 SMEs selected out of 1215 SMEs through systematic sampling methods resulted in 213 valid responses with a 71% response rate. Empirical data were derived from the survey questionnaires distributed through Google Forms and Portable Document Format (PDF) via email and evaluated with descriptive and principal component analysis (PCA), relative importance index (RII), and analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Resultantly, multiple national e-procurement implementation methods and incorrect reassembly of data transmitted were ranked the highest barrier among the technological factors, followed by delays in the transmission of data and information, and the technology immaturity due to political and legal factors, lack of widely acceptable e-procurement software solutions and flexibility for management factors, company culture and cost of IT investment for organizational factors. Future works could compare the e-procurement adoption barriers perceived by SMEs in emerging and developed nations and ascertain their e-procurement acceptance. Meanwhile, stakeholders could attract more IT firms in the current market through adequate training, a unified platform, holistic e-procurement adoption techniques, high public awareness, employment of IT experts, forums to exchange ideas on e-procurement, and utilization of passwords, information encryptions, or data. This study proposed employing mixed-method techniques to examine and alleviate SMEs' e-procurement adoption barriers.

… procurement system. This suggests a lack of readiness towards full e-procurement adoption in South Africa… However, studies on readiness factors affecting e-procurement adoption have …

… to evaluate whether existing procurement laws aligned with digital procurement systems. A … in reducing corruption in public procurement: A study across East African nations. African …

… automation model for tendering processes at the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Public Works (DPW), South Africa… construction sector within South Africa. The primary cause of the …

Background: The effectiveness of the bidding process for state-owned entities (SOEs) in South Africa is crucial for efficient resource allocation and service delivery. It is communal information and the government’s acknowledgement that the existing procurement practices used at SOEs are outdated and are confronted with countless difficulties, including conflicts of interest, corruption, fronting, theft, inflated prices, a lack of standardisation, ineffective processes, and a deficiency of suitable controls. Aim: This case study investigates the bidding process in the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) to assess its alignment with the principles of fairness, transparency, equitability, cost-effectiveness and a competitive bidding process outlined in Section 217 of the Constitution. Setting: This setting relates to the bidding process in SOEs to align with the legislative framework to improve public sector performance and service delivery. Methods: The study used a quantitative research design using a questionnaire with 25 key stakeholders. Results: The findings signify the importance of effective communication, the value of briefing and debriefing sessions, and the need for alignment with international best practices to contribute to the effectiveness of the bidding process. Conclusion: The research recommends integrating digital technologies, fostering stakeholder collaboration, and adhering to international best practices to enhance bidding processes in SOEs. It also advises policymakers to invest in digital infrastructure, bolster cybersecurity, offer stakeholder training, and develop a digital procurement framework. Contribution: This empirical investigation contributes to an understanding of the role of the bidding process within the context of SOEs.

… public sector in South Africa was also minimal. Hence, an investigation into electronic solutions to enhance efficient public service delivery in South Africa … , the public sector works with …

… on two major engineering consulting firms in South Africa, referred to 199 … tendering, they indicate that automation can enhance … For instance, by automating the attachment of standard …

… The bidding firms often follow a bid or tender preparation process to develop their bid … Purposive sampling is employed to select construction consulting firms in South Africa within the …