eTenders Portal Guide: How to Use www.etenders.gov.za in 2026

The National Treasury eTenders portal at etenders.gov.za is the official South African government tender publication platform. All national and provincial government departments are required to publish tenders on this portal. This guide walks you through using the eTenders system effectively.

What Is the eTenders Portal?

The eTenders portal (www.etenders.gov.za) is managed by the National Treasury and serves as the central platform for government procurement in South Africa. It publishes:

• Open tenders from national departments
• Provincial government tenders
• State-owned entity tenders
• Request for Quotations (RFQs)
• Tender awards and results
• Cancelled tenders

How to Search for Tenders on eTenders

Basic Search

1. Visit www.etenders.gov.za
2. Navigate to the "Tenders" section
3. Use the search bar to enter keywords
4. Filter by department, province, or category
5. Sort by publication or closing date

Advanced Search Tips

• Use specific keywords related to your industry
• Search by tender reference number if known
• Filter by UNSPSC commodity codes
• Check both "open" and "closed" tenders to understand patterns

How to Download Tender Documents

1. Find the tender you are interested in
2. Click on the tender title to view details
3. Look for the "Documents" or "Attachments" section
4. Download all documents (Terms of Reference, SBD forms, pricing schedules)
5. Read every document carefully before preparing your bid

Limitations of the eTenders Portal

While the eTenders portal is the official source, it has limitations:

• Limited search functionality — Basic keyword search without advanced filters
• No alert system — You must check manually for new tenders
• Municipal gaps — Many municipalities publish only on their own websites
• No saved searches — Cannot save search preferences
• No mobile optimization — Difficult to use on phones

ProTenders vs eTenders — A Better Experience

ProTenders solves these limitations by:

ProTenders aggregates data from the eTenders portal and adds value through search, alerts, and a modern user experience.

Understanding eTenders Data

OCDS Format

The eTenders portal publishes data in the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) format, which includes:

• Tender planning stage
• Publication/advertisement
• Award decisions
• Contract details

Tender Statuses

• Open/Active — Currently accepting bids
• Closed — Past the submission deadline
• Awarded — Contract has been awarded
• Cancelled — Tender withdrawn

Tips for Using eTenders Effectively

1. Check daily — New tenders are published throughout the week
2. Download early — Tender documents may be updated after initial publication
3. Note briefing dates — Compulsory briefing sessions are listed in the tender details
4. Check amendments — Tenders may be modified after publication
5. Verify closing times — Strictly enforced, no exceptions

The Better Alternative

While you should understand the eTenders portal, ProTenders provides a faster, easier way to find government tenders:

• All eTenders data plus municipal and SOE tenders
• Advanced search with multiple filters
• Free email alerts for relevant tenders
• Mobile-friendly interface
• Tender tracking and reminders

Start finding tenders the easy way:

Search all tenders on ProTenders | Set up free alerts | Compare eTenders vs ProTenders