BULAWAYO – Kudakwashe Tagwirei, a controversial Zimbabwean tenderpreneur, whose companies have secured numerous government contracts, has publicly defended the practice of acquiring state tenders, arguing it is a fundamental aspect of successful business, particularly in economies where the government is the largest buyer and seller.
Tagwirei’s remarks come amid controversy surrounding his business dealings, which have seen his entities, most notably Sakunda Holdings, awarded significant government contracts across various sectors including fuel, agriculture, and mining.
These deals have reportedly amounted to billions of dollars, leading to accusations of preferential treatment and concerns about transparency, good governance and corruption.
Speaking at an event in Bulawayo on Wednesday, Tagwirei asserted, “If you’re not a tenderpreneur, you’re foolish. The biggest buyer or seller in this country is the government.
“If you don’t want to get a tender from the biggest buyer, where are you going to get your business from?”
He further stated, “Anyone who is going to tell you that you must not get tenders is foolish. You must actually strive to get a tender from the government. Those who are saying these ones are tenderpreneurs are jealous because they don’t get the tenders.”
He drew parallels to global figures, citing Elon Musk as an example of a “tenderpreneur” due to his significant contracts with the American government.
Tagwirei also defended the role of traders in the economy, mentioning major international companies like Glencore, Vitol, and Trafigura as examples of multi-billion dollar trading firms with significant government contracts worldwide.
“There is nothing wrong with you being a trader. Where you have access to the markets, you must buy from this one who does not have,” he said.
Tagwirei’s business empire has expanded considerably, particularly since 2017, with reports indicating his companies have benefited from opaquely awarded government contracts, preferential access to minerals, and scarce foreign currency.
Investigations by organisations like the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and The Sentry have highlighted concerns over billions of dollars in treasury bills and payments received by Tagwirei’s companies, sometimes under circumstances described as possibly unlawful or lacking proper tender procedures.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned Tagwirei in 2020 for allegedly providing support to the leadership of the Government of Zimbabwe and for corruption, citing his use of relationships with high-level officials to gain state contracts.
The U.S. Treasury accused Tagwirei of “misusing huge amounts of public money intended to boost the country’s farming sector.
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