Netpage CEO Clarifies Royalty Payments and Passport Pricing in Sierra Leone
By VOS Writer
The Chief Executive Officer of Netpage, Jamal Shallop, has addressed public concerns surrounding royalty payments and the pricing of Sierra Leone’s biometric passport, emphasizing that transactions are conducted in Leones—not US dollars—as stipulated in the contract.
Speaking on the matter, Shallop explained that Netpage’s primary role in the passport arrangement is to finance the production process, not to control issuance or policy decisions. He noted that prior to Netpage’s involvement, the Government of Sierra Leone owed significant arrears to De La Rue, the original passport supplier. This debt, he said, contributed to a nationwide shortage of passports.
“To resolve the crisis, the government opted to privatize aspects of the passport system, and Netpage was brought in to finance the printing process,” Shallop stated, adding that his company has been supporting passport production since 2015.
Addressing questions about royalties, Shallop disclosed that as per the amended Contract, Netpage is obligated to pay 10% of passport sales as royalty to the government. He confirmed that the company has been fully compliant with this requirement since October 2025, following the signing of an updated agreement with the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
He further explained that during the COVID-19 pandemic and a period of severe exchange rate instability, Netpage requested a temporary waiver on royalty payments due to challenges in meeting obligations to international suppliers. The request was approved by the ministry at the time.
Shallop clarified that passport fees are collected in Leones, not US dollars. Currently, a Sierra Leonean passport is priced at Le 2,280 (approximately $93), which he noted is below the $100 benchmark outlined in the contract.
He attributed previous financial pressures to the depreciation of the Leone against the US dollar, which impacted the company’s ability to meet foreign payment obligations. However, with relative currency stability returning, the government has reinstated royalty payments—an obligation Netpage says it is now meeting consistently.
On the issue of decentralizing passport services, Shallop revealed that the necessary equipment is already in place. However, implementation has been delayed due to the lack of designated locations across the country.
Shallop emphasized that while Netpage finances the production and supply chain, all approvals and issuance of passports remain the sole responsibility of the Immigration Department. He added that the company maintains transparent records of all passport supplies delivered to the government.
The Netpage CEO’s remarks aim to provide clarity on contractual obligations, pricing structures, and operational responsibilities within Sierra Leone’s passport system, amid ongoing public scrutiny.
