TMA is the first East African company to achieve CIPS certification
Nairobi, 24thJune 2015:TradeMark Africa,the region’s leading trade development agency,has received the world’s most prestigious corporate procurement certification. The award makes TMA the second organisation in Africa, after the Africa Development Bank, to receive the certification, and the first in East Africa.
A global professional body, The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS)informed TMA of the certification this week. This comes after a detailed evaluation of the organisation’s procurement structures and practices.
CIPS analysed TMA procurement processes according to 110 questions under the following headings: leadership & organization, people, performance management, process & systems and strategy.The CIPS process, through the 110 questions, provided the greatest audit, internal/ external and constructive feedback received from internal and external stakeholders. After an evaluation period of 8 months, TMA received the news of the certification on Monday making it the first East African company to have qualified for the award.
“This award serves as further proof of TMA adhering to the highest international standards in procurement, maintaining the principles of probity, transparency, consistency and fairness as a benchmark of good management,” said Frank Matsaert TMA Chief Executive Officer.
The award of the certification places TMA among a very select group of companies globally. Currently, there are only128companies in the world that hold this certification. The accreditation is awarded to businesses and organizations that achieve the highest international standards in their procurement and supply chain policies and procedures. It is awarded after a rigorous, comprehensive and systematic review carried out by an independent auditor.
David Noble, Group CEO, CIPS said, “Though in existence for a few years, TMA have proved themselves to be tenacious and committed to improvements to their procurement and supply chain management. The procurement team were professional throughout and their supportive documents were exemplary. They were also able to offer evidence as strict adherence to their prevention of bribery and corruption policies as they continue to work hard to maintain these high standards. This was a strong submission and a credit to TMA. I hope they will progress from strength to strength.”
TMA stakeholders and partners welcomed the news and noted the award was proof of TMA’s credibility. Ali Mufuruki, TMA’s chairman of the board noted “The Board of TMA is committed to securing value for money by ensuring rigorous, fair and open procurements. The CIPS certification is acknowledgement that TMA complies with the highest possible ethical standards and does everything it can to ensure that scarce resources are used wisely.”
An event to formally present TMA with the certificate will be held later this month.
TMA is a specialist trade organisation working with East African Community (EAC) institutions and East Africa national governments, private sector and civil societies to increase prosperity through trade. It has offices in Juba, Nairobi, Arusha, Dar Es Salaam, Bujumbura, Kampala and Kigali.
Source: TradeMark Africa (TMA)
TradeMark Africa (TMA) is an aid-for-trade organisation that was established with the aim of growing prosperity in East Africa through increased trade. TradeMark Africa (TMA) operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded by the development agencies of the following countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, UK, and USA. TradeMark Africa (TMA) works closely with East African Community (EAC) institutions, national governments, the private sector and civil society organisations.
