• The strategic procurement management objective of the NWU is to optimise the utilisation of the university’s financial resources through a procurement process that is fair, equitable, transparent and cost-effective, while also ensuring the attainment of all ancillary policy objectives.

• The design of a coordinated framework within which NWU will support SMME and local supplier development in the towns where the campuses are situated as well as in the province.

• The identification of local economic development priorities to create opportunities for demographic representivity in procurement activities.

• Institutionalise preferential procurement from qualifying BBBEE and local suppliers and to formalise and influence procurement behaviour that is consistent with the strategic intent of NWU in regard to BBBEE participation and transformation of societies within which we operate. Aim to award contracts to enterprises with a BBBEE level of 4 and higher as far as possible.

• Substantially increase NWU spend on targeted suppliers so that 50% or more of the total NWU procurement spend is on BBBEE enterprises with at least 51% black ownership and with a focus on development of small local enterprises (QSE’s and EME’s).

• Establish and support a competitive and viable base of BBBEE enterprises through providing access to opportunities, stability and meaningful supplier development interventions, especially for SMME’s.

• Facilitate increased spend on locally owned enterprises in areas where services are required.

• Provide for fair and equitable treatment of all suppliers involved in procurement with NWU, within the framework of this strategy.

• Improve the capacity of procurement officials to execute preferential procurement effectively.

• Promote reporting on performance against the set targets and uniform monitoring of BBBEE spend which is widely accessible.

• Institutionalise enterprise development initiatives to increase the access of small black owned enterprises into the mainstream procurement opportunities and to develop future sources of supply to NWU

We recognise that this will empower our entrepreneurs and contribute to South Africa’s future economic growth. Enterprise and supplier development have specific objectives, which are to deliver the following benefits:

• Benefits to local communities and the economy

• Financial performance and cost optimization, and regulatory compliance & BBBEE optimisation

• Improvements in service level, operations, supplier administration and skills.

• Improving supplier performance and reducing costs.

• Resolving quality issues and improving business relationship between the suppliers and the university.

The Supplier Development Programme  under Procurement department continues to demonstrate measurable success in advancing enterprise development and local economic transformation. Across the 2024–2025 reporting period, the programme achieved:

Supplier Development Performance Comparison (2024 vs 2025 vs Total)

These achievements reflect the University's commitment to developing sustainable local enterprises, promoting inclusive procurement, creating employment, and strengthening the participation of historically disadvantaged businesses within the construction sector. Going forward, the programme will continue to expand market access opportunities, strengthen business compliance, deepen strategic partnerships, and enhance the competitiveness of local SMMEs to ensure long-term economic impact and sustainable development.