Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL), in collaboration with AFROSAI-E, has reached an important milestone in its digital transformation journey with the successful completion of post-configuration training for SierraSeat, its customised Audit Management Information System.

The training, held from 3 to 5 August 2026 at the Foreign Affairs Academy Hall and the 11th Floor of the FCC Building, followed the completion of the final configuration of SierraSeat and brought the institution closer to the system’s full operational deployment.

Funded by the World Bank, the training formed part of the SierraSeat Implementation Project and marked a significant milestone in the contractual agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and AFROSAI-E to customise and localise the A-SEAT Audit Management Information System to meet ASSL’s specific operational requirements.

Transforming the way audits are managed

Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Auditor General Mr Morie Lansana described the training as a major step forward in ASSL’s digital transformation journey.

He emphasised that SierraSeat represents much more than the introduction of a new software application. The system is expected to transform how ASSL plans, conducts, supervises, documents, reports and follows up on its audits.

Through SierraSeat, ASSL aims to strengthen audit planning and risk assessment, enhance quality assurance, improve collaboration among audit teams and provide management with better information to support decision-making.

These improvements are expected to contribute to more efficient and consistent audit processes and, ultimately, strengthen transparency, accountability and good governance in Sierra Leone.

Mr Lansana acknowledged AFROSAI-E for its technical support and partnership throughout the project. He also commended the SierraSeat Project Team, ICT Division, Directors, SierraSeat Champions and staff who participated in the pilot phase for their commitment and constructive feedback.

Putting SierraSeat to the test

An important component of the three-day training was the final stage of User Acceptance Testing, providing participants with an opportunity to thoroughly test the configured system before full deployment.

Mr Lansana encouraged participants to engage critically with the system, test its functionalities and report any outstanding issues. Subject to successful testing and management approval, ASSL intends to officially declare SierraSeat operational and transition the system into the production environment.

The training was designed to familiarise users with the final configured version of SierraSeat, validate its customised functionalities and build staff capacity to manage the end-to-end audit process digitally.

Participants were also introduced to enhancements specifically designed to address ASSL’s operational and business requirements.

Building capacity for technology-enabled auditing

A total of 25 participants, including SierraSeat Champions and representatives from various technical divisions and support units, took part in the training.

Through practical, hands-on sessions, participants worked with SierraSeat’s updated features and workflows, gaining valuable experience in applying the system to their day-to-day audit responsibilities.

Beyond building technical proficiency, the training supports ASSL’s broader goal of embedding standardised, technology-enabled audit practices across the institution.

Mr Lansana stressed that the long-term success of SierraSeat will ultimately depend on staff embracing the system and using it consistently and effectively in line with ASSL’s audit methodology.

A significant step in ASSL’s digitalisation journey

The implementation of SierraSeat is a key component of ASSL’s Digitalisation Plan, which seeks to modernise audit processes through innovative technologies, strengthen audit quality, improve operational efficiency and enable more data-driven decision-making.

The completion of the post-configuration training strengthens ASSL’s institutional readiness for the transition to full operational use of SierraSeat and represents the successful delivery of another important phase of the implementation project.

With SierraSeat moving closer to full deployment, ASSL is positioning itself to make greater use of digital technology across the audit cycle — from planning and risk assessment through to reporting and follow-up.

The successful implementation of the system also demonstrates the value of collaboration and knowledge sharing among Supreme Audit Institutions and their partners in responding to the changing demands of public-sector auditing.

As ASSL progresses with its digitalisation agenda, SierraSeat has the potential to deliver benefits beyond improved internal processes. Stronger, more efficient and technology-enabled auditing can contribute to greater public-sector accountability, enhanced transparency and improved governance for the citizens of Sierra Leone.