Measuring the impact of beneficial ownership transparency in public procurement: Starter guide

Ways forward

BO transparency reforms are not just a compliance exercise; they are a strategic investment in fair and competitive markets, and more resilient public systems. Measuring the impact of BO transparency helps governments and partners to:

• Prove the value of BO transparency: Demonstrate to citizens and stakeholders that reforms are working.
• Justify investment: Use evidence to justify sustained funding and institutional support for effective BO transparency reforms.
• Spot weaknesses: Find out where a BO disclosure system needs to be strengthened.

Where resources are scarce or measurement activities are new, it may be practical to start small with pilot studies in one or two benefit areas. For example:

• COI screening: A pilot drawing on Track A and Track B could focus on identifying overlaps between BO data and declarations of interest submitted by procurement officials to assess the instances of potential COIs and whether these change over time.
• Foreign ownership and secrecy jurisdictions: A comparative Track B pilot could monitor the presence of anonymously owned firms from secrecy jurisdictions in procurement processes and how successful they are at winning contracts over time.
• Procurement integrity campaigns: Track C could be used to align national transparency efforts with SDG 16.5 “Substantially Reduce Corruption and Bribery”, and demonstrate how BO transparency contributes to anti-corruption commitments. [46]

These smaller-scale entry points allow reformers to build internal momentum, demonstrate quick wins, and generate local evidence to support further integration of BO transparency and procurement systems. Pilot selection can also reflect political feasibility – where appropriate, entry points such as innovation, efficiency, or market competition may serve as less contentious starting points. Anchoring pilots within existing national integrity strategies or procurement reform plans can further increase their relevance. Small pilots can combine multiple tracks to improve the comprehensiveness of a study. By taking a practical, step-by-step approach, jurisdictions can transform BO transparency from a legal obligation into a powerful tool for good governance.