The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, ratified a Joint Venture Agreement between the Ministry of Information and Civic Education and Diming Yimo Printing Group to modernise the Government Printing Department and strengthen the country’s printing industry.

The agreement, dated 24 March 2026, provides for a 10-year partnership under which Diming Yimo Printing Group will invest US$5 million to upgrade the Government Printing Department with modern digital printing technology.

According to the agreement, the Government of Sierra Leone will make no financial contribution to the investment, and ownership of the upgraded facility will be transferred to the state at the end of the concession period.

Presenting the agreement to Parliament, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, described the partnership as a major milestone in the government’s efforts to transform the public printing sector.

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He said the Government Printing Department, regarded as the first printing facility in Sub-Saharan Africa, requires significant investment to meet modern standards and deliver innovative printing services.

Bah said the investment would introduce advanced digital printing technology, improve service delivery and enhance the department’s operational capacity without placing any financial burden on the government. He assured Parliament that the ministry would closely monitor the implementation of the agreement throughout its duration.

The Chairperson of Parliament’s Committee on Information and Civic Education, Hon. Rugiatu R. Kanu, acknowledged concerns over the commencement of implementation before parliamentary approval but described the agreement as beneficial to the country.

She said the modern equipment has already improved the quality and speed of government printing services while creating employment opportunities and equipping Sierra Leoneans with the technical skills required to operate the new machines independently.

During the debate, Deputy Speaker Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh stressed the need for government institutions to comply with existing laws requiring official printing work to be undertaken by the Government Printing Department. He also urged Parliament to strengthen oversight of the facility and encouraged the investors to incorporate recycling into the project’s operations.

Deputy Leader of Opposition II, Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma, questioned the absence of what he described as a clear commencement date for the investment and expressed reservations about the 70/30 revenue-sharing arrangement, arguing that the government should receive a greater share. He also called for the agreement to be reviewed every five years.

Supporting the agreement, Deputy Leader of Government Business, Hon. Emerson Lamina, described it as one of the best partnerships for improving public service delivery. He said the arrangement would strengthen institutional capacity, enhance staff training and ensure the Government Printing Department continues to deliver high-quality printing services.

Opposition Leader Hon. Abdul Kargbo welcomed the agreement’s emphasis on technology transfer and staff training, noting that it would reduce reliance on foreign printing services and support local capacity development.

He, however, called for stronger monitoring of implementation, strict compliance with procurement laws and a review of salaries for Government Printing Department staff. He also urged the government to ensure that sensitive national security documents are printed locally rather than by foreign entities.

Concluding the debate, Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, defended the agreement, saying the revenue-sharing arrangement would generate resources for the state while safeguarding government interests.

He dismissed claims that the agreement lacked a commencement date and assured Parliament that all existing staff at the Government Printing Department would retain their jobs. He also maintained that the tax waivers contained in the agreement were appropriately structured to support the investment.

In his closing remarks, Minister Bah thanked Parliament for approving the agreement and pledged to work with relevant institutions to address the concerns raised during the debate. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring effective oversight and successful implementation of the partnership.