Published Article

ABSTRACT

Procurement fraud remains a significant challenge in the public sector, undermining trust, wasting resources, and impeding national development. This study examines the various forms, causes, and consequences of procurement fraud within public institutions, highlighting how corruption, lack of transparency, weak regulatory frameworks, and inadequate oversight mechanisms facilitate fraudulent activities. The paper proposes a multifaceted approaches to combating procurement fraud, including the adoption of e-procurement systems, enhanced audit and monitoring processes, capacity-building for procurement officers, and the enforcement of stringent legal penalties. Emphasis is placed on the importance of institutional accountability, citizen engagement, and technological innovation as critical pillars in creating a robust, transparent procurement environment. By strengthening anti-fraud mechanisms, public sector entities can achieve greater efficiency, reduce financial losses, and restore public confidence in government processes. The study concluded that combating procurement fraud in the public sector requires robust transparency, accountability, and oversight mechanisms. One of the recommendations made was that procurement laws that clearly define offenses and penalties for procurement fraud should be updated and enforced.