Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has criticized the Immigration Department and the Ministry of Internal Affairs over the renewal of Sierra Leone’s passport production contract with Netpage, citing constitutional breaches and administrative lapses.
In a report signed by Chairman and Deputy Speaker Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, the PAC stated that a five-year extension granted in 2023 was approved without Cabinet authorization or parliamentary ratification, contrary to Section 118 of the 1991 Constitution.
The Committee faulted both institutions for failing to present the agreement before Cabinet and Parliament, despite what it described as prior warnings.
The original passport production contract, ratified in 2013, expired in 2023. According to the PAC, the renewal process did not follow constitutionally mandated procedures, thereby exposing public revenue to potential risk and undermining fiscal oversight. The Committee’s observations were reinforced in a subsequent report released in February 2026.
Financial concerns have also been raised by the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR). The organization estimates that annual passport production ranges between 65,000 and 70,000 booklets, generating between USD 7 million and USD 9 million in sales each year.
Over the past decade, total revenue from passport sales is estimated at no less than USD 70 million. However, questions have emerged regarding the absence of reported royalty payments to the government.
IGR further argues that the renewal reflects systemic governance challenges, including what it terms “elite capture,” where influential business interests allegedly shape procurement processes to their advantage. The report notes that such practices can weaken institutional accountability, place pressure on public officials, and erode public confidence in state institutions.
Beyond revenue issues, the passport contract has also been linked to security concerns. Between 2013 and 2023, Sierra Leonean passports were reportedly found in the possession of criminal suspects in parts of Europe and the Americas.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation previously indicated that some individuals deported by the administration of Donald Trump were identified as Sierra Leonean nationals despite questions surrounding their citizenship status.
Civil society organizations have since called for reforms in the award and renewal of passport contracts. They are advocating for future agreements to be publicly advertised and subjected to competitive bidding processes involving both local and international firms.
According to these groups, transparent procurement would strengthen security safeguards and improve revenue-sharing arrangements for the state.
The PAC’s findings highlight broader concerns about governance, accountability, and transparency in public procurement, particularly in contracts involving national security and significant revenue streams.
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