By: Saidu Jalloh
The National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) has launched the Procurement Requisition and Bid Publication modules under Sierra Leone’s Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to modernize public procurement, enhance transparency, and strengthen public financial management.
Delivering the keynote address at the launch ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of the NPPA, Fodie J. Konneh, described the event as a historic achievement that will improve transparency, accountability, efficiency, and value for money in the management of public resources.
He said the introduction of the new modules represents far more than the deployment of a digital platform, noting that it demonstrates the Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to strengthening governance through technology-driven public sector reforms.
“I am delighted to be here this morning for this important occasion. The launch of the e-GP platform and its modules is a major milestone, not only for procurement practitioners and public institutions but also for the general public,” Konneh said.
Reflecting on the country’s digital procurement journey, Konneh recalled that discussions on establishing an electronic government procurement system began in 2016 and 2017, when a World Bank scoping mission visited Sierra Leone to assess the feasibility of introducing the platform.
Although the journey has been long and challenging, he said, the unwavering commitment of the Government of Sierra Leone and its development partners has transformed the vision into reality.
“The e-GP journey has not been without challenges, but it has certainly been worth every effort,” he noted.
Konneh explained that the initiative was initially implemented under the Public Financial Management Improvement and Consolidation Project (PFMICP), which laid the foundation for developing the electronic procurement system.
He added that implementation has since progressed under the World Bank-supported Accountability, Governance for Basic Service Delivery Project, coordinated by the Ministry of Finance, which supports several key digital public financial management systems across government.
According to Konneh, the e-GP platform is the flagship investment under the project because of its nationwide reach and extensive user base.
“The e-GP system is the largest digital platform currently being supported because it serves virtually every stakeholder involved in public procurement. Civil society organizations, businesses, procurement practitioners, public institutions, local councils, and central government agencies will all utilize this integrated platform,” he said.
He noted that no other government digital platform currently serves such a broad range of users.
Konneh said the platform will significantly modernize procurement administration by simplifying procedures, reducing paperwork, improving efficiency, and strengthening public confidence in government procurement.
He explained that procurement opportunities will become more transparent and accessible, enabling suppliers to compete fairly, access bidding opportunities more easily, and monitor procurement processes with greater confidence.
In addition, he said the system will strengthen contract management while promoting higher standards of integrity throughout the entire procurement cycle.
“The electronic government procurement system will simplify procurement processes, reduce paperwork, improve competition, and enhance public confidence by ensuring procurement opportunities are widely accessible, bidding is conducted transparently, and contracts are managed with greater integrity,” he stated.
Konneh stressed that the platform will reduce procurement delays, minimise opportunities for corruption, and ensure that public resources deliver greater value for taxpayers.
He further highlighted that one of the system’s most significant benefits will be increased participation by businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in government procurement.
By lowering administrative barriers and providing equal access to procurement information regardless of geographical location, he said, the platform will promote broader competition, stimulate private sector growth, and create a more inclusive procurement environment.
Konneh added that the digital transformation aligns with the Government of Sierra Leone’s broader public financial management reform agenda and demonstrates the country’s commitment to adopting international best practices in procurement governance.
He called on procurement entities, suppliers, development partners, and civil society organizations to embrace the platform and work collaboratively to ensure its successful implementation.
The NPPA Chief Executive expressed appreciation to the Government of Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Finance, the World Bank, and all stakeholders whose technical and financial support made the project possible.
He concluded that the successful rollout of the Procurement Requisition and Bid Publication modules marks the beginning of a new era in public procurement one characterized by greater efficiency, accountability, transparency, and improved service delivery, while strengthening public trust in government institutions.