CPBN links tenders to community

CSI/CSR
Bethanie project sets CPBN CSR precedent
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The Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) has marked a milestone in its sustainable procurement programme with the first implementation of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment introduced through its bidding process.

The initiative forms part of the board's efforts to use public procurement to deliver broader social and sustainable development benefits, including community empowerment and poverty alleviation.

First implementation in Bethanie

The first implementation of the CSR commitment took place in Bethanie on 24 August 2026, when West Trading JV Unik Construction Engineering Namibia handed over blankets, boys' and girls' school uniforms, and sanitary pads worth N$64 886.51.

The donation was aimed at supporting vulnerable members of the Bethanie community, including learners at Schmelenville Combined School.

Under CPBN's CSR criteria, bidders are required, where applicable, to submit a CSR proposal at the bidding stage equivalent to at least 0.1% of the contract amount.

The proposal must outline how the bidder intends to implement initiatives that contribute to community empowerment and poverty alleviation in the area where the procurement contract will be carried out. The CSR proposal forms part of the bidding documentation and is evaluated in accordance with the applicable criteria.

Railway contract behind donation

The donation arose from the contract for the upgrading of the Sandverhaar–Buchholzbrunn Railway Line Phase 2, which includes the construction and rehabilitation of new and existing bridges.

The contract was awarded by CPBN on behalf of the Ministry of Works and Transport under Procurement Reference No. W/ONB/CPBN-17/2024.

The contract is valued at N$64 886 514.63 and carries a minimum CSR commitment of N$64 886.51, representing 0.1% of the total contract value.

CPBN said this was the first procurement project to implement the CSR commitment since the introduction of CSR criteria into its bidding process, setting a precedent for future applicable procurement projects.

Local jobs add to community benefits

In addition to the CSR contribution, the project has generated direct economic benefits for the local community, with 20 people from Bethanie employed during its implementation.

CPBN said this demonstrated the broader potential of public procurement to contribute not only to infrastructure development, but also to local employment, community empowerment and improved livelihoods.

Speaking at the handover ceremony on behalf of CPBN, board director Simon Shivute said the initiative showed how public procurement could extend beyond the acquisition of goods, works and services.

“Success is best when it is shared. Procurement is not only about acquiring goods, works and services; it is also about creating opportunities, strengthening communities and delivering lasting social value,” Shivute said.

He said public procurement was a powerful instrument for sustainable development and could enable public entities and suppliers to contribute meaningfully to the well-being of communities while fulfilling their contractual responsibilities.

“Through responsible procurement practices, public entities and suppliers can work together to ensure that economic activity generates meaningful benefits for the people we serve. CPBN remains committed to promoting transparency, accountability, value for money and sustainable procurement practices that deliver both economic and social benefits,” he added.

Call for wider adoption

Shivute encouraged public entities to consider similar initiatives within their procurement processes, where appropriate, to advance the broader socio-economic objectives of public procurement.

The donations were handed over on behalf of West Trading JV Unik Construction Engineering Namibia by engineer Jin Ye.

Bethanie Village Council councillor Willim Boois, who received the donation on behalf of the council, thanked CPBN and the contractor for investing in the local community.

He particularly welcomed the employment of 20 Bethanie residents on the project, saying the jobs had enabled local households to derive direct economic benefits from the project.

Boois said the initiative represented a meaningful step towards empowering the Bethanie community and ensuring that public procurement projects created benefits for communities in the areas where they were undertaken.

CSR criteria to continue

CPBN said CSR criteria would continue to be incorporated into future applicable bidding processes, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable procurement.