The national treasury’s central supplier database (CSD) was launched last week by Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene, at the East London Industrial Development Zone in the Eastern Cape. The database is one of the ways in which government plans to simplify its procurement process and cut down on corruption.

The establishment of a CSD, says the treasury, will result in a single source of supplier information for all spheres of government. The purpose of centralising the database is to reduce duplication of effort and cost for both supplier and government, while enabling electronic procurement processes.

For those who are hesitant to sign up to this new initiative, the treasury has published a useful information and FAQ section that will make it easier for prospective suppliers to find out what it’s all about, and then to register with ease. The new section addresses questions such as “Why should a supplier register on the CSD?”, “What if i don’t have internet access or i am computer illiterate?” and “What if i am already on an existing supplier database?”.

We have also made it possible to download these handy documents – click on the links below to save the files to your device.

Supplier Fact sheet

Supplier Leaflet

CSD User Guide – comprehensive

CSD User Guide – summary

CSD Commodity List