The COVID-19 Response Mechanism implementers in Nigeria grapple with procurement related challenges in 2020
ABSTRACT In this article, the eighth in a series of articles focusing on the experiences and lessons learned in the application and implementation of the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response Mechanism grants, we highlight the Nigerian experience. These grants largely supported procurement of health products such as personal protective equipment. However, the grant implementers struggled with procurement-related challenges, partly due to the Global Fund’s requirement to use the funds to procure products solely through wambo.org during the first phase of implementation, and travel restrictions and lockdown instituted to curtail the spread of the pandemic. The procurement-related challenges contributed to low grant absorption.