AFD trains stakeholders on procurement standards

Barbara Bako, Abuja.

The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) says its three-day training aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the procurement process for development projects.

Executive Assistant at the French Development Agency, Mrs Nwala Uloma, stated this in a statement after the workshop held for partners on AFD’s procurement guidelines in Abuja.

Uloma said the workshop strengthens understanding of AFD procurement procedures in line with international best practices, especially for goods, consultancy, and works contracts.

According to her, participants included government officials, project implementation units, and AFD project staff engaged in various development programmes across Nigeria.

The event was organised by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in collaboration with AFD and hosted over 60 attendees.

Uloma added that key highlights included detailed sessions on AFD procurement principles, guidelines, and comparison with Nigerian public procurement regulations.

Other sessions covered case studies, contract management workshops, and security requirements in AFD’s standard bidding documents for public contracts.

Participants praised the interactive format, with presentations, open discussions, group exercises, and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing throughout the sessions.

A Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, Dr Emeka Obi, appreciated AFD’s continued support in strengthening institutional capacity during his opening remarks.

Obi stressed that regular training promotes transparency, accountability, and value for money in donor-funded procurement processes nationwide.

AFD Country Director in Nigeria, Xavier Muron, noted procurement’s central role in the successful implementation of development projects.

Muron said the training would fast-track delivery of AFD’s two billion euro project portfolio currently active in Nigeria.