An Assessment of the impact of public procurement on local economic development projects in Zimbabwe: a case study of Trabablas traffic interchange in Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract

In Zimbabwe, where public procurement accounts for more than 60% of state expenditure, legislation has formally reconfigured it as a strategic tool for advancing local economic development (LED). Grounded in the Developmental State and Public Value theories, this study interrogates the practical realisation of this policy ambition. Using the Trabablas Traffic Interchange, a flagship infrastructure project under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), as a critical case study, this research investigates the chasm between the progressive intent of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act (PPDPA) of 2018 and its on-the-ground developmental outcomes. Adopting a pragmatic research philosophy, the study employed a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. Data was collected from a sample of 78 respondents, including officials from the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ), project engineers, contractors, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and local community members. Quantitative surveys quantified employment and SME participation, while qualitative key informant interviews and focus group discussions explored perceptions of transparency, inclusivity, and institutional challenges. The findings reveal a profound paradox. While the project was an engineering success, its procurement processes failed to function as a catalytic tool for LED. Key evidence indicates: (1) employment generated was largely transient and unskilled, with limited capacity-building for the local labour force; (2) SME participation was marginalised, accounting for less than 15% of contract value and characterised by systemic barriers like onerous pre-qualification and unfavourable payment terms; and (3) community perceptions highlighted a disconnect between project outputs and tangible improvements in livelihoods. The study identifies the primary impediments as a risk-averse procurement culture that prioritises administrative compliance over strategic Page | 5 development, weak enforcement of local content policies, and the constraining effects of macroeconomic instability. The study concludes that the null hypothesis—that procurement practices had no significant positive impact on LED—cannot be rejected. It argues that without a fundamental shift from viewing procurement as a transactional cost-centre to leveraging it as a strategic investment in local capacity, its developmental potential will remain untapped. The dissertation contributes to academic discourse by demonstrating the critical role of implementation informal institutions in mediating policy outcomes. Practically, it provides a blueprint for reform, proposing actionable recommendations including mandatory LED Impact Plans, a project-specific Supplier Development Fund, and the establishment of a Developmental Outcomes Monitoring Unit within PRAZ. This research is pivotal for policymakers, regulators, and practitioners committed to transforming public procurement into a genuine engine for inclusive and sustainable local economic transformation in Zimbabwe and similar contexts