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Public Procurement in Sierra Leone

Public procurement in Sierra Leone is a central instrument for government service delivery, post-conflict reconstruction, and economic development. Public contracts finance essential goods, public works, and services across infrastructure, health, education, energy, and social sectors, making government procurement one of the largest formal markets in the country.

The procurement system is legally established, institutionally centralized, and strongly influenced by transparency, competition, and donor-funded project requirements. For domestic suppliers and international contractors alike, government tenders in Sierra Leone represent a critical entry point into publicly financed development programs.

Country & Economic Overview

Public Procurement Governance Framework

The public procurement system is overseen by the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA), which acts as the regulatory and supervisory body for public procurement across all government entities.

• Public Procurement Agency (PPA): National Public Procurement Authority
• PPA Website: https://nppa.gov.sl/
• Central Purchasing Body: Not designated

The NPPA is responsible for issuing regulations, monitoring compliance, publishing procurement information, and conducting system-wide assessments.

Legal & Regulatory Framework

Public procurement in Sierra Leone is governed by national legislation and detailed implementing regulations that define procurement methods, institutional roles, and bidder rights.

• Public Procurement Act, 2016
• Public Procurement Regulations, 2020

Core Legal Principles

• Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT): Article 60(1)(c)
• Sustainability: Article 37(4)
• Domestic Preference: Article 36(1-3)
• Bid Securities: Article 51
• Public Bid Openings: Article 52

Procurement Procedures & Thresholds

Procurement procedures and financial thresholds are defined in the First Schedule of the Public Procurement Act and apply uniformly across procuring entities.

Complaints and review mechanisms are provided under Articles 64 and 65 of the Act.

E-Procurement & Tender Publication

Sierra Leone does not yet operate a fully integrated national eProcurement platform. Procurement information, contract awards, and procurement plans are published through the NPPA’s official portals.

• eProcurement System: Not formally designated
• World Bank System Usage: National system supported for donor-funded projects
• Tender & Award Publications: https://nppa.gov.sl/contract-awards/

Procurement Market Characteristics

Contract Awards by Category

• Goods: 3,692 contracts (USD 27,100,386)
• Works: 615 contracts (USD 13,411,747)
• Services: 1,682 contracts (USD 37,864,225)

Domestic suppliers account for the majority of contracts by number, while international suppliers capture a significant share of contract value.

Transparency, Complaints & Oversight

Transparency is supported through mandatory publication of procurement plans, tender notices, and contract awards. Oversight is exercised by the NPPA through audits, compliance reviews, and annual system assessments.

• Annual Reports: https://nppa.gov.sl/annual-assessment-reports
• Procurement Statistics: https://nppa.gov.sl/contract-awards/

Sustainability & Social Considerations

The procurement law allows sustainability considerations and domestic preference measures. While no formal green public procurement strategy is established, environmental and social aspects may be included within technical specifications and evaluation criteria.

Domestic preference provisions support local industry participation, particularly for goods and works contracts.

Practical Insights for Bidders

Key Bidding Tips

• Monitor NPPA procurement plans and contract award notices regularly
• Ensure compliance with domestic preference and documentation requirements
• Prepare for donor-funded procurement rules where applicable
• Demonstrate technical capacity and value for money clearly

Public procurement in Sierra Leone represents a structured but evolving market. For suppliers with strong compliance capacity and experience in development-oriented procurement, government tenders offer consistent opportunities aligned with national and donor-funded investment priorities.