This book aims at providing tools, insights and hints on how to maximize the strategic role of procurement in achieving development effectiveness objectives in development projects, by modernizing procurement to emphasize fit-for-purpose approach, quality, and greater value for public spending. It does so also by promoting the need of strengthened national procurement systems and alternatives procurement arrangements (APA) that are empowered to support sustainable development objectives.
In many developing countries, the lack of sufficient skills in project management and project procurement hinders the accrual of the benefits that should be derived from projects financed by the international donors community. In Africa particularly, the management of external donors funded projects is often entrusted to public servants or national consultants that do not always have sufficient expertise or experience. Therefore, reference tools are needed in order to facilitate and increase the efficiency of the work done by these professionals. This book presents an overview of the best practices in project management and project procurement, with emphasis on the particularities of projects financed by international development finance organizations. It went into great details in discussing the aspects of project management related to project procurement, procurement planning and monitoring, before dealing with contract administration. The needed concepts are explained in a simple and accessible manner, which makes the book easy to read. Professionals and students in various fields such as engineering, economics, business administration, law and accounting will find it a handy introduction to these complex areas of development expertise.The author believes that, after digesting the entire book, the reader will have acquired a good knowledge of the fields of expertise discussed in this useful manual.