By: Saidu Jalloh
The National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the participation of Sierra Leonean businesses in internationally funded procurement by taking part in a World Bank Business Outreach Workshop held in Freetown.
The workshop, hosted at the Radisson Blu Hotel, brought together local contractors, consultants, suppliers, and other private sector stakeholders to deepen their understanding of the World Bank’s procurement framework, bidding procedures, and requirements for securing contracts financed by the institution.
Representing the Chief Executive Officer of the NPPA, the Authority’s Director of Capacity Building, Mr. Allieu Moigboi, reiterated the NPPA’s commitment to implementing procurement reforms that promote transparency, accountability, fair competition, and increased participation by the private sector.
Mr. Moigboi explained that the workshop equipped participants with practical knowledge of the World Bank’s procurement regulations, bidding requirements, integrity standards, complaint-handling mechanisms, and available procurement opportunities. He noted that the knowledge gained would enable Sierra Leonean businesses to compete more effectively for internationally funded contracts and expand their participation in development projects.
The workshop also highlighted the NPPA’s ongoing procurement reform initiatives, including the implementation of the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system and continuous capacity-building programmes designed to improve procurement efficiency, enhance transparency, and create greater business opportunities for local firms.
According to the organisers, the outreach workshop reflects the shared commitment of the Government of Sierra Leone, the World Bank, and the private sector to building a transparent, competitive, and inclusive public procurement system that supports sustainable economic growth and national development.
The engagement forms part of broader efforts to strengthen local capacity, improve access to international procurement opportunities, and ensure that Sierra Leonean businesses are better positioned to contribute to the country’s development agenda through fair and competitive public procurement.