Freetown, 24th February 2026. In a historic move to transform public procurement governance in Sierra Leone, the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) and the Institute of Public Administration and Management – University of Sierra Leone (IPAM–USL) have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening public procurement systems through education, research, and structured capacity development. The partnership, sealed at a ceremony establishes a comprehensive framework for collaboration to professionalize the public procurement workforce, enhance regulatory compliance, and support ongoing public financial management reforms across the country.
The MoU sets out a structured cooperation model covering training, curriculum development, internships, research, policy dialogue, and technical advisory services to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). At its core, the agreement seeks to strengthen integrity, transparency, and value-for-money principles in public procurement; align academic training with national procurement reforms; build a sustainable pipeline of certified procurement professionals; and advance evidence-based policy innovation in procurement governance.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of NPPA, Mr. Fodie J. Konneh, described the agreement as a strategic investment in the future of public sector governance. “This MoU represents a decisive step toward institutionalizing professionalism in public procurement,” Mr. Konneh stated. “By partnering with IPAM, we are aligning regulatory practice with academic excellence to ensure that procurement officers across MDAs are equipped with the competencies required to deliver transparency, accountability, and value for money.”
He further emphasized that sustainable procurement reform depends on continuous learning and structured certification pathways. “Reform is not sustained by regulation alone; it is sustained by knowledge, ethics, and capacity. This collaboration creates a framework to build those pillars systematically.”
Under the agreement, NPPA and IPAM will collaborate across several technical pillars designed to create a holistic approach to procurement professionalization: Capacity Building and Training will involve the co-design and delivery of degree programmes, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) short courses, executive clinics, and master classes tailored to procurement professionals and public officers currently serving across government institutions. Curriculum Development will focus on integrating contemporary modules including Public Procurement Law, Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP), Sustainability in Procurement, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), Contract Management, Audit, and Quality Assurance. This ensures that graduates emerge with skills directly relevant to current market demands and regulatory requirements. Research and Knowledge Products will see the joint production of policy briefs, case studies, and research publications using anonymized regulatory data where appropriate, contributing to the body of knowledge on procurement governance in Sierra Leone and the West African region.
Policy Dialogue and Technical Support will be delivered through joint policy forums, compliance clinics, and advisory services to strengthen procurement governance within MDAs, creating platforms for continuous engagement between regulators and practitioners. Internships and Mentorship will provide structured internship placements at NPPA and selected MDAs with defined learning outcomes and supervision frameworks, ensuring that students gain practical exposure to real-world procurement operations. Digital Procurement and e-GP Support will promote digital transformation initiatives, including sandbox access, user education, and change management support to accelerate the adoption of technology in public procurement processes.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of IPAM, Professor Duramani Lakkoh, underscored the importance of bridging academia and regulatory practice in driving national development. “As a leading institution in public administration and management education, IPAM–USL recognizes that academic programmes must respond directly to national reform priorities,” Professor Lakkoh said. “This partnership ensures that our curriculum remains practice-oriented, policy-relevant, and aligned with Sierra Leone’s governance transformation agenda.” He added that the collaboration would strengthen research output and enhance students’ practical exposure. “Through structured internships, joint research, and curriculum innovation, we are creating an ecosystem where theory informs practice and practice enriches theory. This is how institutions contribute meaningfully to national development.” The Deputy Vice Chancellor also requested NPPA to present a paper at IPAM’s upcoming conference and offered to share research methodologies to support the development of a publishable paper on procurement’s role in enhancing public administration. He further noted plans to transition the Civil Service Training College into a Civil Service Academy and suggested that the MoU framework could support micro-credentialing initiatives.
A Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), comprising up to four representatives from each institution, will oversee implementation. The Committee will approve annual work plans, budgets, performance indicators, and branding protocols to ensure seamless coordination and accountability. Each activity under the MoU will be operationalized through a Service Order (SO), clearly defining scope, deliverables, timelines, and measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This structured approach ensures that all collaborative efforts are results-oriented and aligned with institutional objectives. Activities under the MoU will follow a cost-recovery model and comply with Government of Sierra Leone public finance, procurement, and audit regulations. Donor-funded activities will additionally adhere to donor compliance frameworks, ensuring transparency and accountability in all joint initiatives.
The agreement also outlines robust provisions on data protection, confidentiality, intellectual property management, conflict-of-interest disclosure, and zero tolerance for corruption. These provisions underscore the commitment of both institutions to upholding the highest ethical standards in their collaboration and in the broader procurement reform agenda. The MoU will remain in force for five years, with a mid-term review at two and a half years, and an option for renewal for an additional three years. While the MoU provides a non-binding framework for cooperation, each Service Order executed under it constitutes a binding contractual agreement, ensuring legal clarity and enforceability for specific initiatives. The signing of this MoU marks a significant milestone in strengthening institutional collaboration between academia and regulatory authorities in Sierra Leone.
By integrating academic rigor with regulatory expertise, NPPA and IPAM are positioning the country’s public procurement sector for enhanced professionalism, improved compliance standards, and sustainable reform outcomes. Beyond the ceremony itself, the significance of this partnership extends to the broader governance, administration, and management architecture of Sierra Leone. Effective governance depends on systems that promote transparency, accountability, efficiency, and prudent management of public resources. Public procurement sits at the very core of that governance infrastructure, as it determines how public funds are allocated, utilized, and safeguarded. By integrating regulatory oversight with academic training, research, and professional development, this collaboration strengthens the institutional foundations of a modern and results-oriented public administration system. The professionalization of procurement practitioners, alignment of curricula with national laws, and establishment of structured capacity-building pathways will contribute to improved service delivery and enhanced public trust.
When procurement systems function efficiently and ethically, they reduce waste, mitigate corruption risks, and ensure value for money; key pillars of good governance.
This MoU therefore, represents more than institutional cooperation; it is a strategic investment in Sierra Leone’s governance infrastructure. It signals a deliberate shift toward competence-based administration, evidence-driven policy development, and sustainable institutional reform aimed at delivering tangible outcomes for citizens.
Stakeholders across government and development partners have welcomed the initiative as a model for how academic institutions and regulatory bodies can work together to address capacity gaps and drive systemic change in public financial management.
As Sierra Leone continues its trajectory of governance reforms, this partnership between NPPA and IPAM stands as a testament to the power of institutional collaboration in building the human capital and systems required for effective, transparent, and accountable public procurement. The event ended on a note of optimism, renewed commitment, and a shared vision for strengthening public procurement and advancing national governance reform.
For more information on this or any other activities of the NPPA, please contact us on: info@nppa.gov.sl
