By Christian.conteh@awokonewspapersl.com
Freetown, Sierra Leone — Sierra Leone’s public sector procurement in 2023 saw billions of Leones funneled into operational costs, with Office Stationery, Vehicle Spares and Maintenance, and Printing Services dominating in volume and value, raising questions about expenditure priorities and cost-efficiency in government spending.
According to official data, Office Stationery was the most frequently procured item, with 480 transactions totaling Le423.8 million, followed by Vehicle Spares and Maintenance, which despite fewer actions (432) racked up an eye-popping Le1.74 billion making it one of the most expensive operational procurement categories.
Similarly, Printing Services consumed a massive Le804.9 million over 330 transactions, highlighting the continued reliance on paper-based processes even as digital transformation becomes a national objective.
Another major expense was Office Equipment, with 345 transactions totaling Le200.2 million, while Computer Accessories and Consumables accounted for Le68 million over 357 transactions. Despite being a recurring expense, the cost of Furniture (223 transactions, Le183.2 million) and Desktop and Laptop Computers (Le16.3 million) also featured prominently.
The government’s reliance on rentals and service contracts also showed in figures for Hall Rental, Decoration & Catering (377 transactions, Le45.1 million) and Vehicle Rental (162 procurements, Le13.3 million).
In contrast, some strategic sectors received relatively lower investment. For example, Consultancy Services cost Le267 million over 68 procurements, and ICT Applications & Software, crucial for digital development, totaled only Le19.8 million.
The procurement of Air Tickets reached Le423.8 million over 122 purchases—comparable in value to office stationery, illustrating the high cost of government travel.
With the country grappling with fiscal pressures and calls for austerity, these figures paint a picture of a public sector heavily geared toward maintaining operations, with limited spending optimization in sight. Analysts say this calls for an urgent review of procurement policies to improve accountability and align public spending with national development priorities. CC/10/6/2025
