By Hassan Osman Kargbo
Sierra Leone’s e passport programme has come under renewed scrutiny following findings that raise serious concerns about revenue accountability and contract transparency. According to figures from the Integrated Government Revenue system, the country issues between sixty thousand and seventy thousand passports annually, generating an estimated seven to nine million United States dollars each year. Despite this substantial income stream, investigators say there is no evidence that royalty payments from the e passport contract are being paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
The absence of documented royalty deposits has triggered questions about how much the state is truly benefiting from the arrangement. Under standard public finance practice, revenues linked to national assets and services are expected to be declared and channeled through official government accounts. Investigators say the lack of traceable payments suggests potential losses to the state at a time when public finances remain under pressure.
Sierra Leone’s e passports are also among the most expensive in West Africa. Applicants pay between one hundred and one hundred eighty United States dollars per passport, a cost that places a heavy burden on ordinary citizens. In neighboring countries, passport fees are significantly lower, raising concerns about affordability and fairness, particularly for low income earners who require travel documents for education, employment, or medical reasons.
Concerns over pricing are compounded by the way the e passport contract has been managed. Investigators report that the contract has been renewed at least three times without competitive bidding. There is also no publicly available assessment demonstrating value for money or explaining why alternative service providers were not considered. Such practices, analysts warn, weaken transparency and limit the government’s ability to negotiate better terms on behalf of citizens.
Civil society groups and governance advocates say the situation highlights broader challenges in public procurement and contract oversight. They argue that without open bidding and clear reporting, the risk of revenue leakage increases while public trust declines. Calls are growing for a full review of the e passport agreement, including disclosure of contractual terms, payment structures, and beneficiary entities.
The government has previously defended the e passport system as a modernization effort designed to improve security and international compliance. However, critics insist that modernization should not come at the expense of accountability or affordability. They stress that digital reforms must deliver clear financial and service benefits to the state and the public.
As Sierra Leone continues to seek domestic revenue to fund development priorities, the questions surrounding the e passport deal have become harder to ignore. Observers say restoring confidence will require transparency, competitive procurement, and clear evidence that national revenues are being protected and properly accounted for.
