The paper evaluates the effects of the digitalization of public procurement, leveraging the introduction of mandatory e-procurement for all contracting authorities. It compares the procurement outcomes for local governments that were required to adopt e-procurement tools at the beginning of 2024 with those of entities that were already using such digital tools, and estimates the effects in terms of the transparency and efficiency of administrative processes.
E-procurement increased the transparency of procurement processes, providing greater access to information on contract awards, and accelerated the tendering procedures. The positive effects were more pronounced for competitive tenders and in local governments that, prior to the reform, were less transparent or employed more qualified staff.
