The Model Law is a template for domestic procurement legislation. Its main objectives are to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, and to avoid abuse in the procurement process (through promoting competition and participation, integrity, fair and equitable treatment and transparency). It is used by the multilateral development banks as a tool for procurement reform and as part of the country systems approach to procurement. The Model Law contains procedures to implement its objectives, whether procurement is conducted electronically or on paper; and reflects the professionalization of the procurement function (which has characterized recent developments in procurement).

This timely work reflects on the role and obligations of the state as a buyer of goods and services, from the dual disciplinary perspectives of public procurement and human rights. Through theoretical and doctrinal analyses, and practice-focused case studies, it interrogates the evolving character of public procurement as an interface for multiple normative regimes and competing policies. Challenging the prevailing paradigm which subordinates human rights to narrowly-defined economic goals, insightful contributions advance a compelling case for greater inter-disciplinarity and policy coherence as crucial to realising international policies such as those embodied in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

This book examines the regulatory rules on public procurement in selected African countries and provides a comparative analysis of key regulatory issues.