A thematic analysis of digitalisation of public procurement in cities of the Global South

Abstract

This article analyses how technology-driven procurement reforms in cities of the Global South address three interconnected policy goals: (1) expanding market access for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), (2) advancing climate change mitigation through sustainable procurement, and (3) reducing corruption risks. Through a reflexive thematic analysis of 36 cities, the study identifies three waves of reform: from addressing informational asymmetries via e-tendering to integrated business process automation and, finally, the emergence of data science and machine learning for pre-emptive fraud detection and predictive demand modelling. The analysis shows that digital transformation is not merely a technical fix but a political project shaped by local conditions and national frameworks. The paper concludes that while Artificial Intelligence holds potential for real-time transparency, city governments must guard against ‘techno-solutionism’ and ensure that algorithmic management does not displace civil society oversight or erode democratic decision-making.