A three-day training session on citizen monitoring of public procurement kicked off on October 28, 2026, in Diffa, Niger. The session, organized by the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (ARCOP), brings together thirty civil society actors and media representatives from the Diffa region. The goal is to strengthen their capacities in transparency, citizen vigilance, and good governance in the management of public resources.
The training session, themed "Public Procurement, Everyone's Business: Making Each Citizen a Worthy and Voluntary Controller of Public Procurement," aims to enhance participants' understanding of the rules, procedures, and control mechanisms applicable to the entire public procurement process. The process includes identifying needs, preparing markets, awarding contracts, executing, and receiving them. The session is led by Adji Doumba, representative of the General Directorate of ARCOP, and Issoufou CHII, Regional Director of ARCOP in Diffa.
According to Issoufou CHII, the training initiative seeks to make civil society actors and media representatives effective relays of transparency and accountability. This will enable them to support government efforts toward rigorous, equitable, and efficient management of public funds. Public procurement is a crucial lever for implementing public policies, allowing the state and local authorities to acquire goods, build infrastructure, and mobilize services necessary for the country's socio-economic development.
Public procurement engages significant financial resources, and its proper use determines the quality of services offered to populations. The mastery of public procurement mechanisms is not limited to administration specialists but also involves citizens, civil society organizations, and media professionals. They are called upon to contribute to preventing irregularities and promoting responsible governance.
The three-day session aims to enable participants to familiarize themselves with the fundamental principles of public procurement. They will learn to identify potential shortcomings in existing rules and understand the legal means available to exercise their citizen vigilance mission. Citizen monitoring of public procurement is essential due to its preventive nature, which can intervene from the preparation of markets to the execution of contracts.
During the session, participants will examine the public procurement process, from needs identification to contract execution and reception. They will also discuss the role of civil society organizations in promoting transparency and accountability in public procurement. The training will equip participants with the necessary skills to contribute to the prevention of irregularities and promote responsible governance.
The training session is expected to enhance the capacities of civil society actors and media representatives in Diffa. This will enable them to effectively monitor public procurement and contribute to good governance in the region. The initiative is part of efforts to promote transparency and accountability in the management of public resources in Niger.
Key points
- The training session aims to strengthen the capacities of civil society actors and media representatives in citizen monitoring of public procurement.
- The initiative seeks to promote transparency and accountability in public procurement.
- The training will enable participants to familiarize themselves with the fundamental principles of public procurement.
