Combating Corruption in Algerian Public Procurement under Law No. 06-01: Integrating Preventive and Enforcement Mechanisms

Abstract

Public procurement is particularly vulnerable to corruption because of its close connection with public expenditure, public investment, and the management of public funds. This study examines the legal mechanisms established under Algerian legislation to prevent and combat corruption in public procurement, with particular emphasis on Law No. 06-01 on the Prevention and Combating of Corruption, complemented by Law No. 23-12 governing public procurement. The study adopts primarily an analytical legal approach, supported by descriptive and comparative methods, to assess the complementarity between preventive measures and enforcement mechanisms and their consistency with relevant international standards, particularly the United Nations Convention against Corruption. The findings show that the Algerian legal framework combines preventive safeguards, including transparency, equal treatment of economic operators, conflict-of-interest rules, integrity requirements, access to information, and review procedures, with criminal sanctions, administrative oversight, and specialised anti-corruption institutions. Although this framework provides a substantial legal basis for protecting public funds and promoting integrity in public procurement, its practical effectiveness remains dependent on consistent enforcement, effective institutional coordination, continuous professional training, and further digitalisation of procurement procedures. The study concludes that strengthening preventive governance alongside effective enforcement is essential to enhancing transparency, accountability, and the sustainable protection of public funds in Algeria.