By: Aminata Sesay
In a significant move to harmonize donor support with national systems, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) has deepened its engagement with the Government of Sierra Leone through strategic discussions with the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA). The talks, held as part of the Programmatic Procurement Management (PPM) mission, underscored a shared commitment to aligning external aid with domestic frameworks to improve efficiency, transparency, and sustainability in health procurement.
Central to the engagement was GAVI’s focus on strengthening country systems, a core pillar of its development approach. Representing GAVI, Senior Manager of Portfolio Financial Management, Mr. Edgar Beyaraaza, emphasized that donor-funded programs must complement not bypass national institutions.
“Our goal is to build on what is already in place, not to replicate or replace,” Beyaraaza stated, highlighting the risks of fragmented systems in global health aid delivery.
Welcoming the GAVI delegation, NPPA Chief Executive Officer, Chief Fodie J. Konneh, stressed the importance of comprehensive procurement oversight—from transparent contract awards to active monitoring of implementation. He affirmed NPPA’s readiness to lead technical reforms that ensure value for money, compliance, and the protection of public health investments.
A key highlight of the session was Sierra Leone’s adoption of a collaborative oversight model, including a Memorandum of Understanding between NPPA and Audit Service Sierra Leone to jointly monitor public procurement activities. Chief Konneh described this initiative as a cornerstone of domestic accountability, which is now being extended to include GAVI-supported health procurement.
Integration emerged as a central theme throughout the dialogue. Both parties highlighted the importance of embedding donor processes within the national digital infrastructure, specifically Sierra Leone’s Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system. The e-GP platform, pivotal to procurement reform, provides end-to-end visibility, audit trails, and real-time data for decision-making ensuring that funds from development partners are used transparently and effectively.
The discussions also emphasized the need for stronger coordination with other health sector actors, notably the Global Fund and the Integrated Health Projects Administration Unit (IHPAU). NPPA pledged ongoing technical support to these entities, reaffirming its role as a central hub for procurement reform across the sector.
As the meeting concluded, there was clear consensus on the urgency of institutional collaboration to improve health outcomes. A follow-up session is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10, to finalize joint strategies prior to GAVI’s departure. All technical recommendations will be consolidated through IHPAU for coordinated implementation.
With this renewed partnership, Sierra Leone signals a shift toward sustainable, country-owned systems where every international dollar strengthens national capacity and brings the country closer to universal access to quality healthcare.