The Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) has launched a two-day training in Lilongwe to help small businesses use the Malawi National Electronic Procurement System (MANePS).

The training, running from 9 to 10 September at Crossroads Hotel, is aimed at streamlining public procurement procedures and increasing the participation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in government contracts.

PPDA’s Public Relations and Communications Manager, Manday Pondani, said the programme was designed to equip government officials, suppliers and entrepreneurs with the skills needed to operate the digital platform.

“Our goal is to modernise the entrepreneurial landscape. Small-scale traders and enterprises that want to engage in public procurement will broaden their understanding of the process,” she said.

Pondani added that participants would be guided step-by-step on how to create accounts and register on MANePS.

One of the attendees, businessman James Mwale, welcomed the initiative, saying it would support the digital transformation of businesses.

“This programme will improve transparency, efficiency and accountability in public financial management,” he said.

MANePS is an online platform that manages the full cycle of public procurement, from vendor registration and planning to tendering and contract management. It is used by both government agencies and suppliers.