Optimizing transparency, ensuring fairness and boosting the efficiency of procurement in Côte d'Ivoire: this is the objective of the awareness seminar which is being held from Tuesday, June 30 to Friday, July 4, 2026 in Grand-Bassam.

Initiated by the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (ARCOP) , this workshop brings together the key players in the sector: heads of procurement departments, acquisition professionals and buyers from National Public Establishments (EPN), state-owned companies and decentralized authorities.

The observation: Evaluation criteria are too often flawed.

At the opening of the proceedings, the president of ARCOP, Bamba Massanfi, wife of Diomandé , pointed out a reality on the ground: the majority of irregularities detected during audits or dispute settlements stem from the weakness of the evaluation criteria and the techniques for analyzing bids.

"The evaluation criteria should not be considered as mere administrative formalities or standard clauses to be mechanically reproduced, but as strategic tools to ensure fair competition, objective selection of service providers and efficient use of public resources," she stressed.

Towards a culture of precision and objectivity

Ms. Diomandé strongly encouraged participants to fundamentally transform their practices, from project planning to execution. For ARCOP, each step must become a highly precise exercise where the requirements are:

1. Clearly defined
2. Measurable
3. Non-discriminatory

The stakes are high: every point awarded to a bidder must be rigorously justifiable in the context of the tender documents, whether in the event of an appeal or during independent audits. According to her, this is the only way to maintain the confidence of economic operators.

Key skills at the heart of training

To correct these trajectories, this intensive seminar focuses on three major levers:

1. Relevance: Define rating criteria adapted to each market.
2. Rigour: Clearly distinguish between eligibility criteria and scoring criteria.
3. Neutrality: Mastering offer analysis techniques to eliminate all subjectivity.

A direct impact on development

In conclusion, the President of ARCOP reiterated that public procurement extends beyond the technical realm: it is a powerful lever for governance and economic growth. Poorly awarded contracts or cancelled procedures hinder development and directly harm the well-being of the population. ARCOP thus reaffirms its commitment to making objectivity the absolute standard in the sector.