By: Mohamed Sahr
To gain a holistic view of the procurement landscape, the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA), with funds from the World Bank and Africa Development Bank through the Ministry of Finance, engaged stakeholders to initiate significant reforms to modernize public procurement processes through the implementation of the Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS). The engagement was held at the Sierra Palm Hotel in Freetown on Thursday, 7th November 2024.
Fodie J. Konneh, Chief Executive Officer of National Public Procurement Authority, said the Ministry of Finance would chair the Methodology of Assessing Procurement System’s steering committee. NPPA also focuses on building upon past reforms to improve service delivery.
He recognized the support of the National Investment Board’s chairman, reflecting the link between procurement and private sector development. “Procurement is the interface for how the government engages with the private sector,” Konneh said.
NPPA boss stated that the MAPS assessment provides a comprehensive review of the country’s procurement system, examining its legal and regulatory frameworks, institutional capacity, operational practices, and the pillars of accountability and integrity. Emphasizing that the initiative aims to benchmark Sierra Leone’s procurement against international standards and produce actionable recommendations for improvement.
Konneh highlighted plans to implement an electronic government procurement (e-GP) system funded by the World Bank to minimize human intervention, reduce corruption, and enhance transparency. Expected within 12 to 18 months, the e-GP system will automate procurement processes, enabling real-time transaction monitoring and auditing. He said the shift to electronic procurement would revolutionize records management and accountability.
He added that procurement has been instrumental in rebuilding infrastructure and governance since the end of Sierra Leone’s civil war in 2002. Stating that the 2004 Public Procurement Act laid the foundation for standardized procurement by establishing the NPPA as the authority overseeing procurement across public institutions.
NPPA CE said the reforms continued with the 2016 Public Procurement Act and 2020 regulations, which strengthened compliance and monitoring mechanisms. “Despite these strides, challenges have persisted, such as limited enforcement and inadequate capacity across ministries and agencies, often resulting in delays, cost overruns, and inefficiencies,” he stated.
Making her keynote remark, Kadiatu Allie, Deputy Minister of Finance, said the MAPS initiative would deliver a comprehensive view of the procurement sector, fuelling reforms aligned with Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term Development Plan (2024-2030).
She mentioned that the MAPS Initiative is a powerful tool that provides a framework for evaluating the quality, transparency, and effectiveness of procurement systems across key pillars by focusing on our legal and regulatory frameworks, institutional capacities, procurement operations, and the pillars of accountability and integrity maps would allow us to gain a holistic view of our current procurement landscape and identify areas of improvement. This will also enable Sierra Leone.
Deputy Minister of Finance said the assessment, led by the national public procurement authority and supported by the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and other international partners, is a collaborative effort involving stakeholders from multiple sectors to ensure strategic guidance and effective implementation. “This committee, chaired by the Ministry of Finance, includes representatives from government, civil society, and development partners and is committed to steering the assessment to completion,” she noted.
Madam Allie outlined that today’s engagement is essential in setting a common understanding of the framework of the map, discussing the roles each stakeholder will play, and fostering a unified approach to reform. Adding that the outcomes of this assessment will be transformative. By identifying gaps and opportunities, we will develop an action plan that prioritizes reform aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency in procurement.
She said the assessment aligns with our broader goal, as highlighted in the medium-term development plans for 2024 and 2030, which emphasize the importance of sustainable economic growth, technological advancement, and enhanced service delivery through an effective public procurement system.
The Deputy Minister of Finance urged stakeholders to engage fully to share insights and collaborate openly. Stating that their commitment to the process is instrumental in ensuring that map assessment not only meets its objectives but also lays the groundwork for a sustainable and accountable procurement system
The MAPS Stakeholder Engagement gathered representatives from international development organizations, the private sector, and civil society. A World Bank representative highlighted the importance of integrating emerging issues like climate change, gender inclusivity, and social sustainability into procurement practices, noting that the assessment aims to align Sierra Leone’s procurement system with international best practices.
Shiaka Momoh, Procurement Specialist of the African Development Bank (AfDB), stressed that a robust system is essential for social and economic progress with 80% of the national budget allocated to public procurement. “A thorough process will create the improvements necessary to drive Sierra Leone’s socio-economic development,” stated the AfDB representative.
He said the AfDB and other partners are committed to supporting Sierra Leone’s goal of establishing a sustainable, transparent, and inclusive procurement system.
Notwithstanding, the MAPS assessment is expected to chart a roadmap for ongoing procurement reforms with a strong focus on efficiency and accountability. By aligning procurement policies with national goals for sustainable economic growth and technological advancement, Sierra Leone is positioning itself as a leader in public sector reform within West Africa.
