Chief Fodie J. Konneh serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA), an appointment he received from His Excellency Julius Maada Bio and which was duly approved by Parliament on 12 October 2023. Since assuming office, he has introduced far-reaching reforms that are steadily reshaping the Authority and Sierra Leone’s procurement landscape.

One of his earliest priorities was to accelerate the rollout of the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system. Under his leadership, MDAs and suppliers have been systematically on-boarded, with structured training programs and user support, ensuring that high-value procurements gradually migrate to the digital platform. Closely linked to this effort has been his stewardship of the MAPS assessment follow-through, where he translated complex diagnostic findings into an action plan while simplifying the technical language for public understanding. This has allowed both practitioners and citizens to better follow, engage, and provide feedback on the country’s procurement reforms.

Konneh has also strengthened NPPA’s monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. He has directed the shift from a narrow focus on compliance to a broader emphasis on contract performance, value-for-money checks, and post-award monitoring. Recognizing the challenges in civil works procurement, he initiated the creation of a specialized Engineering and Works Oversight function to ensure quality assurance in infrastructure-related contracts. Similarly, by setting up a donor projects coordination unit within NPPA, he has ensured that externally funded projects remain aligned with Sierra Leone’s procurement laws, improving transparency and oversight across the board.

Institutional reforms under his leadership have not only been structural but also professional. He has harmonized postings and promotions for procurement practitioners, reinforcing a merit-based system supported by competency assessments and mentorship. He also oversaw the revision of bidding documents, templates, and guidelines to reduce ambiguity and improve compliance across MDAs and local councils. Beyond technical reforms, Chief Konneh has expanded NPPA’s stakeholder engagement strategy, using radio discussions, press briefings, and civil society forums to bridge the gap between procurement professionals and the wider public.

Operational readiness has been another focus of his tenure. For years, NPPA struggled with inadequate logistics to conduct monitoring nationwide. He has therefore prioritized the acquisition of vehicles and field equipment to enable staff to reach every corner of the country. Alongside this, capacity-building programs have intensified, with procurement officers receiving specialized training in evaluation, contract management, and ethical standards.

Before rising to the position of CEO, Konneh had already built an impressive career in public procurement. He previously served as Director of the Procurement Directorate at the Ministry of Finance, where he introduced performance monitoring tools and harmonized the public procurement cadre. He also acted as Interim Head of the Project Fiduciary Management Unit (PFMU), where he managed a diverse multi-donor portfolio. His earlier roles included Head of Procurement at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Senior Procurement Officer at the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, and Procurement Officer at the Freetown City Council. His first professional experiences were with Edra Consultancy, where he served as Aide to the CEO, and as Programme Development Officer at DISCET.