For years, Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has been at the forefront of promoting transparency and integrity through its mandatory asset declaration process for public officials.

According to the law, public officials at a certain senior level are required to declare their assets once every two years. This process plays a crucial role in ensuring accountability and preventing the accumulation of unexplained wealth.

To modernize this process, the ACC introduced an online asset declaration system in 2017, running it alongside paper-based declarations for several years. However, in 2024, the Commission made online declarations mandatory, fully transitioning away from paper-based submissions. While this was a significant step towards digital transformation, many public officials encountered usability challenges, technical inefficiencies, and difficulty navigating the platform. The increase in support requests overwhelmed ACC’s resources, and compliance rates began to decline.

Recognizing the urgent need for a more robust and user-friendly solution, the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI) has partnered with ACC to develop a next-generation asset declaration system – one that prioritizes efficiency, security, and ease of use.

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A New Era of Digital Asset Declarations

The new Sierra Leone Asset Declaration System (SL-ADS), currently in development, is designed to eliminate past challenges and significantly improve the declaration process. Key improvements include:

✅ User-Friendly Interface – A more intuitive and accessible system for public officials.

✅ Automated Compliance Tools – Integrated reminders, real-time error alerts, and validation mechanisms to help declarants stay compliant.

✅ Enhanced Security – Strong encryption, audit logs, and role-based access control to protect sensitive information.

✅ Seamless Integration – Direct links to national databases such as NCRA, the Vehicle Registry, and the Property Registry for real-time verification.

✅ Offline Access & Mobile Compatibility – Declarants can complete forms offline, with automatic synchronization when reconnected.

✅ Advanced Fraud Detection – AI-driven analytics to identify inconsistencies and potential risks.

Public Demonstrations and Rollout Timeline

The new system will be completed by the end of June 2025. Following this, DSTI and ACC will conduct live demonstrations for the public, showcasing how to navigate and use the platform effectively. These sessions will ensure that public officials, civil society, and the media understand the system and its benefits before the 2026 declaration period begins.

A Game-Changer in the Fight Against Corruption

This new system will be a transformative step in Sierra Leone’s anti-corruption efforts, making the asset declaration process more efficient, transparent, and secure while reducing administrative burdens.

Francis Ben Kaifala, Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission, expressed his confidence in the initiative:

“An effective asset declaration system is a cornerstone of our anti-corruption efforts. This collaboration with DSTI is a crucial step toward making compliance more efficient while reinforcing public trust.”

Jasper Patrick Sembie, Director & COO of DSTI, emphasized the importance of innovation in governance:

“Technology should simplify governance, not complicate it. Our focus is to create a system that makes compliance easy while strengthening accountability.”

Edita Fofanah, Deputy Director of the Asset Declaration Unit, highlighted the impact on compliance rates:

“This enhanced platform will ensure that public officers declare their assets with ease, and ACC can process and verify submissions more effectively.”

The Road Ahead

Scheduled for rollout ahead of the 2026 declaration period, the SL-ADS aims to:

📈 Increase compliance rates to over 90% by making the system easier to use.

📉 Reduce the administrative workload by 80%, allowing ACC to focus on enforcement rather than technical support.

✅ Enhance public confidence in the government’s commitment to transparency.

With this innovative solution, DSTI and ACC are reinforcing Sierra Leone’s commitment to good governance. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, this initiative ensures that public officers can declare assets effortlessly, ACC can enforce compliance efficiently, and the nation continues to build a stronger culture of accountability.