This study examined the effects of individual behavior on procurement performance in the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training Zanzibar. A mixed research approach was employed, combining quantitative data from 70 respondents using structured questionnaires with qualitative insights from interviews. Descriptive statistics revealed that respondents strongly agreed on the financial literacy, accountability, compliance and ethical behavior enhancement of procurement performance. Overconfidence moderately found to effect procurement performance. Regression analysis further indicated that financial literacy (β = 0.367, p = 0.001) and ethical behavior (β = 0.321, p = 0.005) are significant positive predictors of procurement performance, whereas overconfidence (β = -0.241, p = 0.014) and herding behavior (β = -0.198, p = 0.029) negatively influence outcomes. The model explained 61% of the variance in procurement performance (R² = 0.61), demonstrating strong explanatory power. The findings underscore the importance of promoting financial and ethical competence among procurement officers while mitigating cognitive biases through training, decision-support mechanisms, and structured oversight. This study provides actionable insights for policymakers and institutional leaders aiming to enhance procurement performance.