By: Isatu Bai Kamara
A nationwide effort to modernize and strengthen Sierra Leone’s public procurement framework gathered pace on Tuesday as the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) convened simultaneous stakeholder consultations in the regional hubs of Kenema and Makeni.
The engagements form part of a comprehensive review of the Public Procurement Act, 2016, aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the management of public resources across Sierra Leone. The exercise reflects growing recognition of procurement as a central pillar of governance, economic management, and development effectiveness.
Senior NPPA officials led the parallel consultations, with the Authority’s Chief Executive Officer spearheading discussions in Kenema, while Deputy Chief Executive Officer Mr. Augustine J. J. Tommy headed the Makeni engagement. The sessions attracted wide participation from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), local councils, civil society organizations, procurement practitioners, private sector contractors, and development partners.
Participants from Kenema and Kailahun districts converged for the eastern regional engagement, while stakeholders from several northern districts including Kono assembled in Makeni, reflecting logistical considerations and regional accessibility. The consultations are part of a broader national process designed to gather field-level insights and operational experiences that will inform proposed legislative reforms.
Opening the Kenema session, NPPA’s Head of Communications and Outreach, Mr. Sylvester B. Allieu, outlined the objectives of the nationwide exercise, emphasizing that meaningful reform must be rooted in stakeholder feedback. He noted that the procurement landscape has undergone significant transformation since the last review of the Act, particularly with the rollout of the Electronic Government Procurement (E-GP) system an innovation intended to improve transparency, streamline processes, and reduce opportunities for malpractice.
According to Mr. Allieu, embedding digital procurement reforms within the legal framework is essential to ensuring their sustainability and effectiveness. He further revealed that the consultations followed deliberations at a recent NPPA Board and Management Retreat, where preliminary discussions on proposed amendments were initiated.
Delivering the welcome address in Kenema, Chief Administrator of the Kenema City Council, Mr. Sahr Pessima, underscored the importance of inclusive dialogue in shaping a responsive procurement regime. He urged participants to share practical experiences to ensure that the revised legislation adequately reflects the operational realities confronting procuring entities nationwide.
A technical presentation by NPPA’s Director of Legal and Board Secretariat, Mr. Francis M. Gbaya, highlighted specific provisions of the existing Act that require strengthening. He outlined the rationale for proposed amendments, including measures aimed at simplifying procedures, improving oversight mechanisms, and reinforcing accountability standards.
In Makeni, Deputy CEO Mr. Tommy emphasized that the review process represents more than a procedural requirement; rather, it is an opportunity to recalibrate procurement governance in line with evolving national priorities and global best practices. He described public procurement as a cornerstone of fiscal discipline and economic stewardship, noting that lessons from nearly a decade of implementation necessitate timely reforms.
Supporting this view, Bombali District Council Chief Administrator Mr. Abdul Koroma highlighted procurement’s critical role in ensuring value for money in public spending. He warned that systemic weaknesses can undermine efficiency and erode public confidence in state institutions, reinforcing the urgency of strengthening the legislative framework.
Across both engagements, stakeholders demonstrated robust participation, raising concerns over delays in procurement approvals, limited technical capacity in some entities, and the complexity of certain regulatory procedures. Representatives of local councils stressed the need for simplified processes, particularly in contexts where financial and human resources remain constrained.
Civil society organizations advocated for stronger transparency safeguards, including enhanced public access to procurement information and increased citizen oversight. They also called for stricter enforcement mechanisms to deter irregularities and promote integrity in procurement practices.
Private sector participants expressed concern over delayed payments for completed contracts, noting that such challenges threaten business sustainability and discourage contractor participation in public projects. They urged the inclusion of legal provisions that guarantee timely payments and offer greater protection for service providers.
Development partners present at the consultations commended the NPPA’s inclusive reform approach, reaffirming their commitment to supporting procurement modernization efforts. They stressed that a credible and transparent procurement system is indispensable for the effective utilization of both domestic and external development resources.
The NPPA indicated that insights from the consultations will inform proposed amendments to the Public Procurement Act, with the aim of aligning the legal framework to contemporary reforms, including digital procurement initiatives and strengthened accountability mechanisms.
Further consultations are scheduled to continue in Bo and Port Loko, as the Authority intensifies efforts to secure broad-based stakeholder input in shaping a modern, responsive, and resilient procurement regime for Sierra Leone.