Public Procurement and Industrial Policy as Levers for Economic Transformation

Public Procurement and Industrial Policy as Levers for Economic Transformation

AISCR is pleased to announce the next session in its Thought Leadership Webinar Series titled “Public Procurement and Industrial Policy as Levers for Economic Transformation,” scheduled for 18 June 2026.

Public procurement represents one of the most powerful yet underutilized instruments for driving industrial development, strengthening local industries, creating jobs, and enhancing national competitiveness. Across Africa and many emerging economies, governments spend billions annually through public procurement systems. However, procurement and industrial policy often operate independently, limiting their collective contribution to sustainable economic transformation.

This executive dialogue will bring together leading procurement professionals, policymakers, academics, and industry experts from across Africa and beyond to examine how governments can strategically align public procurement with industrial policy objectives to accelerate industrialization, innovation, supplier development, and inclusive economic growth.

Key Discussion Areas

The webinar will explore several critical questions shaping the future of procurement and industrial development, including:

• Can governments strategically use public procurement to accelerate industrialization?
• How can procurement systems support local content development, supplier growth, and SME participation?
• What leadership and institutional reforms are required to align procurement with industrial policy objectives?
• How can procurement systems stimulate innovation, competitiveness, and technology transfer?
• What lessons can African countries learn from successful international experiences?

Distinguished Speakers and Host

The webinar will be hosted by Pauline Wawira Njiru (Kenya), a procurement and supply chain management professional with extensive experience in public procurement governance, digital procurement transformation, and capacity building. Pauline currently serves with Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and is a Trainer of Trainers for Kenya’s Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system.

The panel features an outstanding group of international experts:

• Xolisa Mpono, CSCP (South Africa) – Procurement and governance specialist with over two decades of experience in public procurement, contract management, supply chain management, and regulatory compliance.
• Elvina A. Osodo, CPSP (Kenya) – Supply chain strategist and procurement specialist with more than 18 years of experience in public procurement, logistics, contract management, and public-private partnerships. She currently serves as Manager, Supply Chain Management at the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA).
• Manoj Yermalkar, CSCP (India) – Head of Procurement at ACG Engineering and an internationally recognized supply chain transformation expert, educator, mentor, and executive trainer with over 31 years of experience.
• Dr. Nkem Achia Sixtus (Cameroon) – Operations management and supply chain specialist, consultant, educator, and value chain analyst with extensive experience in logistics, operations, and organizational transformation.

Global Dialogue, Practical Insights

Participants will have the opportunity to engage in an interactive executive discussion examining the balance between value for money and industrial development, strategies for strengthening domestic industries through procurement, and reforms needed to maximize the developmental impact of government spending.

To enrich the discussion, registered participants will also be invited to complete a pre-webinar survey designed to capture perspectives on the role of public procurement in industrial development and economic transformation. Survey findings will be used to inform the webinar discussions and identify practical policy and implementation priorities.

Event Details

Topic: Public Procurement and Industrial Policy as Levers for Economic Transformation

Date: Thursday, 18 June 2026

Format: Virtual Webinar

Registration: Free (Registration Required)

REGISTRATION LINK