Mbabane- The Municipal Council of Mbabane has received international recognition for its procurement systems.The Council has been awarded the CIPS Corporate Ethical Procurement and Supply Certification by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), placing it among organizations recognised for maintaining ethical standards in procurement and supply chain management.
The certification is significant as procurement is at the centre of how public institutions spend money on goods, services and projects, with proper systems expected to ensure value for money and minimise the risks of fraud, corruption and waste.
In a statement released by the council, Municipal Council Chief Executive Officer Gciniwe Fakudze said the certification was more than an award, describing it as international recognition of the Council’s procurement systems, governance structures and ethical standards.
She said the certification confirmed that the municipality’s procurement processes were designed to be fair, transparent and responsible while being aligned with internationally recognized best practices.“This certification is not merely an award. It is an internationally recognized endorsement of the Council’s procurement systems, governance structures, and ethical standards,” Fakudze said.
According to the CEO, the recognition strengthens the Council’s credibility and should also boost public confidence in the manner in which municipal resources are managed. She said having robust procurement controls meant that decisions on the purchasing of goods and services, as well as the engagement of suppliers, were guided by established ethical standards.
For residents, Fakudze said the importance of the certification was ultimately reflected in how effectively public resources were converted into services and development. She said transparent and accountable procurement could help ensure that municipal funds were spent in ways that provide maximum value to the community.
The certification also provides an assurance that procurement decisions are guided by fairness and transparency, while suppliers and service providers are selected through ethical and competitive processes. Fakudze said such systems could reduce the risks associated with corruption, fraud and inefficiency and improve the Council’s ability to deliver projects and services that benefit the city.
“Ethical procurement is more than a process; it is a promise to our citizens that every decision made today contributes responsibly to the Mbabane of tomorrow,” she said.
The achievement comes as the municipality pursues its ambition of transforming Mbabane into a Smart City, a vision that requires substantial investment in infrastructure, technology, digital solutions and public services.
Fakudze said strong procurement systems were critical to ensuring that such investments were made responsibly and delivered long-term value.
“Smart Cities depend on strategic investments in infrastructure, technology, digital solutions, environmental sustainability, and public services. Ethical procurement ensures that these investments are made responsibly and transparently, creating a strong foundation for long-term success,” she said.
She said the certification would support the municipality’s efforts to improve operational efficiency, build trusted relationships with suppliers and investors, promote innovation and deliver sustainable development projects.
The CEO said the Council would also continue strengthening its procurement and supply chain functions to ensure value for money, reduce risks and maintain high ethical standards.
She attributed the achievement to the commitment of the municipality’s leadership, procurement professionals, employees, stakeholders and partners.
Fakudze said the Council would use the recognition as motivation to further strengthen ethical leadership and improve service delivery as it advances its Smart City agenda.
The certification was received as the Council participated in the CIPS Africa Conference and Awards.
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