By Joseph Momoh, Reporter D.S
Despite generating between $7 million and $9 million annually, Sierra Leone’s government has failed to receive any revenue from its lucrative e-passport contract, according to a recent report by the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR). Citizens are charged some of the highest fees in West Africa for travel documents, yet the funds reportedly benefit a private service provider rather than the state.
The IGR’s January 2026 investigation reveals that Sierra Leoneans pay between $100 and $180 for an e-passport, one of the priciest rates in the region. With an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 passports issued each year, the e-passport system represents a significant revenue stream that appears entirely out of the government’s reach.
The report highlights alarming procurement governance issues, noting that the e-passport contract has been renewed multiple times without competitive bidding or adequate value-for-money assessments. This lack of transparency and adherence to procurement laws raises serious questions about accountability.
Andrew Lavalie, Executive Director of the IGR, described the situation as emblematic of “extractive contracting,” where business elites benefit from key revenue sectors regardless of the ruling political party. The irregularities in the e-passport contract are said to transcend past administrations, affecting both the APC and SLPP governments.
The IGR is calling for a cross-party consensus to renegotiate the contract, aiming to secure state revenues and ensure that passport costs are justifiable. Furthermore, the organization urges the publication of all income flows related to the passport deal and demands intervention from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA).
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