Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone Context

Sierra Leone’s government is committed to expanding infrastructure through PPPs in sectors such as energy, transport, agriculture, tourism and ICT. The enabling legal and institutional frameworks support private sector participation and transparency.

Despite significant progress, infrastructural bottlenecks continue to hinder private sector growth and reduce the country’s global competitiveness. To address these challenges, GoSL has institutionalized PPPs as a strategic mechanism to attract private investment and improve service delivery.

This effort is spearheaded by the National Investment Board (NIB), established through the National Investment Board Act 2022. The NIB serves as Sierra Leone’s premier institution responsible for overseeing and coordinating investment initiatives, including the strategic management of PPP projects. The PPP Directorate, a specialized unit within the NIB, plays a vital role in implementing and managing PPP activities in alignment with national priorities and legal frameworks.

Under the NIB Act, the PPP Directorate has been empowered to ensure professionalism, legal authority, and strategic integration of PPP initiatives into Sierra Leone’s development agenda. It provides technical support, promotes transparency, and facilitates the successful execution of PPP projects that contribute to the country’s socio-economic growth.

Functions and Responsibilities

• Initiate and Assess Opportunities: Identify, evaluate, and prioritize potential PPP projects in collaboration with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as local councils.
• Project Development: Prepare concept notes, conduct feasibility and due diligence studies to ensure projects are viable and aligned with national development goals.
• Procurement and Structuring: Lead the procurement process, facilitate project structuring, and ensure transparency and fairness in selecting private partners.
• Contract Management: Negotiate, finalize, and oversee PPP contracts, ensuring clear performance metrics and compliance with legal and policy standards.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Track project implementation, monitor contractual performance, and assess outcomes to ensure value for money, sustainability, and impact.
• Legal and Policy Compliance: Ensure all PPP activities conform to the provisions of the NIB Act 2022 and related policies, providing legal backing for project execution.
• Promotion and Pipeline Management: Promote investment opportunities, develop and maintain a pipeline of bankable PPP projects, and engage with potential investors.
• Capacity Building and Technical Support: Provide training and technical assistance to line ministries, agencies, and local councils to strengthen institutional capacity for PPP development and management.

This comprehensive framework aims to streamline PPP processes, enhance transparency, and attract sustainable private investment, thereby accelerating Sierra Leone’s socio-economic development and infrastructure growth.