Sierra Leone’s efforts to modernise public sector systems have taken a new step forward as the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) and the National Investment Board (NIB) begin discussions to connect their digital platforms.

The proposed integration is expected to improve the way government verifies business information, strengthens procurement oversight, and promotes transparency in the management of public contracts.

Senior officials and technical teams from both institutions met in Freetown to explore possible links between the NPPA’s Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) System and the NIB’s digital business registration platform.

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NIB Executive Director Dr Edward H. Sandy said the Board is advancing digital reforms through online business registration and electronic application systems. He noted that stronger cooperation with the NPPA would help improve efficiency and support better governance.

Representing the NPPA, Director of Partnerships and Liaison Mathew Brima said digital cooperation between government institutions is becoming increasingly important, especially in addressing concerns around supplier ownership, conflicts of interest, and accuracy of business information in public procurement.

He explained that connecting the e-GP system with key institutions such as the NIB, National Revenue Authority, National Civil Registration Authority, and Integrated Financial Management Information System would allow faster verification of supplier details and strengthen accountability.

Director of Electronic Government Procurement Dr Mohamed Babah M. Turay welcomed the NIB’s progress in digital transformation and emphasised the importance of protecting shared information through strong data governance, cybersecurity measures, and secure systems.

The meeting also discussed a proposed verification model that would allow NPPA to confirm supplier information through a secure portal instead of accessing the NIB’s entire business registration database. Officials said the approach would support transparency while protecting sensitive institutional data.

Technical consultant Alie Bangura also provided an update on the Electronic Government Procurement System, noting that supplier registration and procurement planning modules are already operational, while additional features, including bid opening, evaluation, and contract award modules, are expected to be introduced by September.

The collaboration comes as Sierra Leone continues to expand its digital transformation agenda, with government institutions increasingly focusing on technology-driven solutions to improve service delivery and accountability.

Officials say the partnership between the NPPA and NIB represents a shift from simply digitizing individual institutions to creating connected systems that can improve decision-making and strengthen public trust.