Why procurement is one of the most corruption-vulnerable business functions.
Procurement sits at the intersection of money, discretion, suppliers, and urgency—a combination that creates an inherent risk of corruption if not actively managed.
Across many organisations, procurement exposure typically stems from:
- High discretion with limited oversight – Decision-making authority is often concentrated, especially in sourcing, supplier selection, and contract variations.
- Complex supplier ecosystems – Multiple vendors, intermediaries, and subcontractors obscure transparency and accountability.
- Manual or fragmented processes – Inconsistent documentation, offline approvals, and system gaps create opportunity for manipulation.
- Pressure to deliver quickly – Urgency is frequently used to bypass controls “just this once.”
- Weak segregation of duties – The same individuals initiating, approving, and managing suppliers significantly increase risk.
- Limited post-award scrutiny – Focus is placed on awarding contracts, not on monitoring performance, pricing drift, or scope creep.
When procurement controls weaken, corruption does not arrive loudly. It embeds quietly—in pricing, supplier relationships, contract extensions, and exceptions that become normalised.
Organisations that reduce procurement risk most effectively do three things well: they simplify structures, improve transparency, and introduce independent oversight where it matters most.
If you are reviewing your procurement operating model, Duja Consulting is available for a confidential discussion on how procurement outsourcing can strengthen controls, improve governance, and reduce exposure to corruption.
