Parliament Approves $5M Upgrade for Government Printing Department

Parliament Approves $5M Upgrade for Government Printing Department

Parliament has ratified a $5 million Public-Private Partnership (PPP) aimed at transforming the 200-year-old Government Printing Department into a modern digital facility. The agreement, finalized on March 24, 2026, marks a significant shift in the nation's capacity to handle official government documents.

During the government’s weekly press briefing on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Minister of Information and Civic Education, Hon. Chernor Bah, detailed the 10-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) arrangement with the Diming Yimo Printing Group. Under the terms of the deal, the firm will invest $5 million to upgrade the facility. The government will not be required to make direct financial contributions, and ownership of the modernized plant and all related assets will transfer to the state once the agreement period concludes.

Minister Bah highlighted that the project is designed to enhance the quality, efficiency, and reliability of government printing services while fostering local expertise through staff training.

While lawmakers expressed broad support for the initiative, they emphasized the necessity of stringent oversight. During the ratification process, parliamentarians stressed the importance of ensuring the protection of sensitive government materials and mandated that all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) utilize the upgraded facility for official printing needs.

In addition to the printing press project, Minister Bah provided updates on broader Cabinet decisions aimed at economic and digital reform:

• Mining Governance: A new transparent framework for managing iron ore licenses in Tonkolili North has been approved, to be overseen by the National Minerals Agency.

• Maritime Development: The Sierra Leone Ocean Shipping Company Ltd was established as a joint venture between the Sierra Leone Mining and Maritime Development Company (SLMMDMC) and China’s Zhejiang Xiehai Group.

• Digital Sovereignty: The Cabinet approved the National Open Source Software First Policy, intended to reduce software expenditure, enhance data security, and strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure.

Minister Bah assured the public that the government remains committed to monitoring these initiatives to ensure accountability and sustainable national benefit.