The Zambian government, through the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA), has launched an electronic procurement (e-procurement) system aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in the procurement of public goods and services.

The online e-procurement system was launched in Lusaka recently as a means of addressing rampant corruption within the country's existing procurement system.

ZPPA director general Chibelushi Musongole said the system will reduce procurement malpractices and will improve efficiency in the monitoring of public tenders and contracts.

Interested bidders can submit their proposals from anywhere in the world through the ZPPA website, while bidders will have automated compliance validation during bid submissions.

Musongole said ZPPA is facing numerous challenges in public procurement because most public entities have difficulties adhering to procurement plans.

"This is an automated system of conducting business and is also aimed at improving efficiency, openness and serving government resources.," Musongole said.

Meanwhile the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is still investigating telecom tenders that were improperly awarded to China's ZTE and Star Software Technologies Company, in which the Zambian government almost lost over $150, 000 due to inflated costs.

The projects involved the installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras on the streets aimed at assisting crime prevention, and the tender for digital migration project for broadcasting.

Senior government officials are said to have overlooked tender procedures in awarding the contracts and inflated the costs of the project to benefit themselves.

The tender for the digital migration project had to be re-advertised, while the CCTV project was cancelled and abandoned