HON. F. M. LANSANA COMMENDS GOV’T ON SINGLE WINDOW FINANCING SYSTEM

The Member of Parliament representing the people of Kenema District, Hon. Festus Mohamed   Lansana, has commended the Government of Sierra Leone for introducing the Sierra Leone National Single Window (SLNSW) initiative. He made remarks during the parliamentary debate on the financing agreement presented by the Minister of Finance Ahmed Fantamandi Bangura, in the Chamber of Parliament on 11 June 2026. The agreement under consideration is a contract between the Government of Sierra Leone and Blueribbon Solutions SL Limited for the financing, development, management, and operation of the Sierra Leone National Single Window (SLNSW), signed in May 2026.

Addressing Parliament, Hon. Lansana expressed gratitude to the Fifth Parliament and His Excellency President Brigadier (Rtd.) Julius Maada Bio for the Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system, which enabled his return to Parliament. He also paid tribute to his late sister-in-law, the wife of his late brother, Mr. Goba, whose passing led to his return to the House.

Speaking on the merits of the project, Hon. Lansana explained that the Sierra Leone Electronic Single Window (SLESW) is a centralized digital platform that will enable importers, exporters, and clearing agents to submit and track trade-related documents, including customs declarations, permits, and certificates, through a single online portal.

He noted that since the establishment of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), Sierra Leone has progressed through several revenue management systems, from manual Excel-based recording to ASYCUDA, ASYCUDA+, ASYCUDA++, ASYCUDA World, and ITAS. However, he argued that weaknesses in backend systems have continued to create opportunities for revenue leakages and financial losses. According to Hon. Lansana, the Single Window system is designed to address these gaps by strengthening backend controls, improving transparency, and enhancing domestic revenue mobilization.

He outlined several key benefits of the initiative, including: Reduction in cargo clearance time by up to 30 percent, Elimination of repetitive manual paperwork through a single electronic declaration system, Real-time tracking of applications, permits, licences, and customs documentation, Improved efficiency and convenience for traders, who will be able to process transactions remotely.

The platform will integrate more than 22 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including the National Revenue Authority (NRA), Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), Sierra Leone Standards Bureau (SLSB), National Drug Authority (NDA), Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR).

Hon. Lansana emphasized that Sierra Leone's trading community currently faces significant challenges arising from extensive documentation requirements and high compliance costs, which serve as non-tariff barriers to trade.

He stated that the National Electronic Single Window will help eliminate these obstacles by reducing transaction costs and accelerating the processing of import and export documentation. He concluded by expressing confidence that the project will modernize trade facilitation, improve government revenue collection, and strengthen Sierra Leone's competitiveness in regional and international commerce.