Public procurement as a tool to drive innovation in South Africa

This article is an analysis of the use of public procurement as a tool to drive innovation. It explores the meaning of innovative procurement or public procurement of innovation, as well as the rationale for using public procurement to drive innovation. It then focuses on South Africa and evaluates whether there is scope within the existing public procurement regulatory regime for the promotion of innovation. Barriers in the regime are identified and suggestions are made for possible reform.Keywords: Constitution; contracts; government; innovation; policy promotion; preferential procurement; public procurement; tenders