By: Saidu Jalloh
The National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) and the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM-USL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen Sierra Leone’s public procurement system through education, research, and structured capacity development.
The agreement establishes a formal framework for collaboration aimed at professionalizing the country’s public procurement workforce, improving regulatory compliance, and supporting ongoing public financial management reforms.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, NPPA Chief Executive Officer Fodie J. Konneh described the partnership as a strategic step toward institutionalizing professionalism in procurement practice. “This MoU represents a decisive step toward aligning regulatory practice with academic excellence to ensure that procurement officers across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are equipped with the competencies required to deliver transparency, accountability, and value for money,” he said.
Under the agreement, both institutions will collaborate on capacity building and training, curriculum development, research, policy dialogue, internships, and technical advisory services. The partnership will support the co-design and delivery of degree programmes, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses, and executive training tailored to public procurement professionals.
The curriculum will incorporate modules such as Public Procurement Law, Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP), Sustainability in Procurement, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), Contract Management, Audit, and Quality Assurance to ensure alignment with current regulatory requirements and market demands.
IPAM Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Duramani Lakkoh said the collaboration would bridge academia and regulatory practice to advance national governance reforms. “As a leading institution in public administration and management education, IPAM-USL recognizes that academic programmes must respond directly to national reform priorities,” he said, noting that structured internships and joint research initiatives would enhance students’ practical exposure.
The MoU also provides for the joint production of policy briefs and research publications, compliance clinics for MDAs, and advisory services to strengthen procurement governance across government institutions. Digital transformation initiatives, including support for e-GP adoption, form part of the cooperation framework.
Implementation will be overseen by a Joint Coordination Committee comprising representatives from both institutions. Activities will be operationalized through Service Orders detailing scope, timelines, deliverables, and measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
The agreement includes provisions on data protection, confidentiality, intellectual property management, and anti-corruption compliance. It will run for five years, with a mid-term review after two and a half years and the option for renewal.
Officials say the partnership is expected to enhance professionalism, improve compliance standards, and strengthen transparency and accountability within Sierra Leone’s public procurement system.