Freetown, 3rd March 2026 – The National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) has held a certification ceremony at its EGP Conference Room in Freetown, bringing together representatives from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to receive their Certificates of Compliance for the submission, review, and validation of their Annual Procurement Plans (APPs).
The ceremony marked a significant milestone in the Authority’s ongoing efforts to strengthen public financial management and enhance compliance with statutory procurement requirements across government institutions. The Certificates of Compliance were awarded to MDAs that successfully submitted their Annual Procurement Plans in line with established timelines and regulatory standards.
In his welcome address, Mr. Sylvester B. Allieu, Head of the Communications and Outreach Unit, warmly received the MDA representatives and expressed appreciation for their dedication and cooperation in fulfilling the NPPA’s mandate.
“Without proper planning, there can be no transparency, no value for money, and no effective service delivery,” Mr. Allieu noted. “Today’s ceremony is therefore not merely symbolic — it is a clear demonstration of institutional discipline, reform progress, and commitment to sound public financial management,” he reiterated. He commended the institutions for demonstrating professionalism, accountability, and commitment to timely procurement planning, noting that effective procurement planning remains a cornerstone of transparent and efficient public service delivery.
Delivering his keynote remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of NPPA, Mr. Fodie J. Konneh, underscored the critical importance of Annual Procurement Plans in the public procurement cycle. He emphasized that procurement planning is not merely an administrative requirement, but a strategic instrument that ensures budgetary discipline, value for money, and alignment of procurement activities with national development priorities.
The CEO cautioned that MDAs which fail to submit their Annual Procurement Plans risk serious consequences. He informed the gathering that defaulting institutions risk having their budgetary allocations withheld by the Ministry of Finance, as the NPPA is empowered by law to make such recommendations in cases of non-compliance.
“We strongly encourage all MDAs that are yet to submit their Annual Procurement Plans to do so before the end of the First Quarter,” Mr. Konneh stated. “Non-submission constitutes a breach of statutory requirements and may attract administrative action.”
Mr. Konneh further noted that while the NPPA Act makes provision for the introduction of technology in public procurement, the recently completed MAPS assessment has paved the way for a comprehensive review of the Act. As part of the reform process, a dedicated section will be created to address the new layers of reforms introduced through the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system.
He informed MDAs that digital supplier registration is currently ongoing and disclosed that, in the near future, all MDAs will be required to upload their Annual Procurement Plans directly onto the e-GP portal. This transition, he explained, will significantly enhance transparency, efficiency, real-time monitoring, and data-driven decision-making within the procurement system.
The CEO also intimated MDAs about plans underway to professionalize the procurement cadre in Sierra Leone. He encouraged procurement practitioners to pursue recognized qualifications in procurement and supply chain management.
While the current Act allows individuals knowledgeable in procurement to practice, the ongoing review and reform process will introduce more entrenched and clearly defined qualification requirements for public procurement practitioners.
To facilitate a smooth transition, the NPPA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), University of Sierra Leone, to partner in conducting professional procurement courses. The NPPA will actively participate in curriculum development to ensure that procurement training meets international standards and global best practices.
Additionally, the Authority has entered into an MOU with the International Supply Chain Education Alliance ISCEA), based in the United States of America, to support the provision of tailored, affordable, and internationally relevant procurement training for practitioners in Sierra Leone.
Mr. Konneh urged procurement professionals to seize these opportunities to upgrade their competencies and add value to themselves, warning that failure to adapt to emerging professional standards and digital reforms could render some practitioners redundant in the near future.
The certification ceremony was climaxed by an interactive question-and-answer session, during which MDA representatives and members of the media sought clarifications on compliance requirements, digital reforms, and the professioalization agenda.
The NPPA also extended sincere appreciation to all MDAs that honored the invitation and collected their Certificates of Compliance. MDAs that were invited but unable to attend are informed that their certificates remain available for collection at the Communications and Outreach Unit, Lotto Building, during official working hours.
The Authority reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and value for money in public procurement. Through strengthened oversight, legislative reforms, digital transformation, and sustained stakeholder engagement, the NPPA continues to drive transformative changes aimed at enhancing efficiency, integrity, and public confidence in Sierra Leone’s procurement systems.
For more information on this or any other activities of the NPPA, contact us on: info@nppa.gov.sl
