By Samuel Hinga Norman
Freetown, 8th July, 2026 – The National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) has launched the Procurement Requisition and Publication Modules of the Sierra Leone Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP-SL) System, at the Authority’s Headquarters, on OAU Drive, Tower Hill, Freetown, on 7th June, 2026.
The initiative, sponsored by the World Bank, marks another milestone in Sierra Leone’s ongoing public procurement reform agenda aimed at digitizing government procurement processes.
Delivering the welcome address, the Director of Communication and Outreach at the NPPA, Sylvester S. Allieu, described the launch as another important step towards achieving a fully digital, transparent, and efficient public procurement system in Sierra Leone. He added that the launch demonstrated steady progress toward building a modern procurement system capable of streamlining procurement processes, boosting transparency, improving efficiency, and expanding access to procurement opportunities across the country.
Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) is the use of digital technology and online systems to manage the entire government procurement process. Instead of relying on paper-based procedures, governments use an electronic platform to advertise tenders, receive bids, evaluate suppliers, award contracts, and manage procurement records. The system represents a major shift from manual procurement practices to a fully digital process that promotes competition, strengthens accountability, and ensures compliance with procurement regulations. It is also expected to reduce delays and opportunities for corruption while creating equal opportunities for businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, to compete for government contracts regardless of their location.
Speaking at the launch, NPPA Chief Executive Officer, Fodie J. Konneh, described the introduction of the foundational modules as a significant achievement for the Authority, noting that they are accessible to procurement practitioners and the general public. He said the achievement reflectd the Authority’s commitment to modernizing public service delivery and strengthening good governance.
“Today marks more than just an introduction to a digital platform; it represents our commitment to transparency, accountability, efficiency, and value for public resource,” he said, stating that this would simplify procurement processes, reduce paperwork, and ensure all procurement dealings are transparent and “managed with greater integrity.” He further affirmed that the digital procurement process would reduce opportunities for corruption, minimize delays, and deliver better value for taxpayers’ money.
Giving an overview of the Sierra Leone e-GP System, Director of Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP), who doubles as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Person at NPPA, Mohamed Baba Turay, highlighted the uniqueness of the platform, noting that it provides equal access to all stakeholders, including Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), contractors, and suppliers, thereby ensuring equal opportunities in the procurement process.
He explained that the purpose of the overview was to provide a deeper understanding of the electronic procurement workflow, including the initiation of procurement requests, documentation, compliance requirements, and the standardization of procurement procedures.
“This is to understand the electronic initiation of the request, the documentation and compliance aspect of the standardization of the electronic workflow, and the enhancement planning and control of the Procurement system,” he said.
Turay further noted that one of the key features of the Procurement Requisition Module is its automated approval workflow, which routes procurement requests through the relevant approving authorities electronically. He emphasized that the system is secure and designed to improve efficiency and transparency while reducing human interference in the national procurement process.
The Project Coordinator for the Accountability Governance for Basic Service Delivery Project, founded by the World Bank, Mr. Adams Tommy, disclosed that the project is supported through a grant of approximately US$40 million to the Government of Sierra Leone, which incorporates the e-GP. He explained that the launch formed part of Phase One of the project, with two of the planned seventeen modules now completed. He commended the NPPA for achieving the milestone and described the initiative as a critical step towards improving public service delivery.
The press conference concluded with a live demonstration of the Electronic Government Procurement System, allowing stakeholders to observe how the Procurement Requisition and Publication Modules will function in practice.
The launch of the Sierra Leone Electronic Government Procurement System is expected to transform public procurement by making government contracting more transparent, competitive, and efficient. The digital platform will simplify bidding processes, expand access to procurement opportunities, and encourage greater participation from businesses across the country, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
For the Government of Sierra Leone, the initiative represents a significant investment in digital governance that will strengthen accountability, improve the management of public resources, reduce corruption risks, and enhance public confidence in the country’s procurement system.
