Written by: Hussein Ahmed
The Vice President of the Republic inaugurated South Sudan The head of the economic bloc, Professor James Wani Igga, today in Juba, opened the 17th East Africa Procurement Forum, which was held under the theme of promoting disclosure of beneficial ownership in public procurement systems, with the participation of government officials, experts and representatives of regional and international institutions concerned with governance and financial transparency.

South Sudan affirms its commitment to building a procurement system based on integrity and efficiency.

In his opening remarks, Igga affirmed the South Sudanese government's commitment to building a public procurement system based on integrity and efficiency, considering it a cornerstone of good governance and a means of strengthening trust in state institutions. He stated that public procurement systems are the primary driver for translating government plans and policies into tangible services and projects that directly benefit citizens.

The Vice President stressed the importance of developing procurement systems to ensure transparency and accountability, along with raising levels of efficiency and credibility, and achieving the best value for public money, noting that reforms in this sector represent an important step towards improving the management of public resources and enhancing the investment environment.

The forum highlighted the issue of beneficial ownership disclosure, which Iga described as an urgent necessity at present, given its effectiveness in preventing conflicts of interest and curbing corruption within state institutions. He explained that revealing the true owners of companies dealing with governments contributes to establishing fair competition and opens the door for investors and development partners to operate in a more transparent and ethical environment.

Iga also called on the forum participants to take advantage of the dialogue sessions and exchange experiences and practical lessons learned among the countries of the region, with the aim of reaching common solutions to the cross-border challenges facing public procurement systems in Africa.

He concluded his speech by stressing that regional cooperation and coordinated action among African countries are the best way to enhance transparency and consolidate the principles of integrity in the management of public funds, thereby supporting development efforts and economic stability on the continent.