The Pastef group, led by National Assembly President Ousmane Sonko, has launched a parliamentary commission to investigate alleged financial mismanagement in the ‘One Student, One Laptop’ program. The initiative, which has cost nearly 48 billion FCfa since 2017, is now under scrutiny for potential legal violations and financial improprieties.

The investigation focuses on repeated irregularities in contract awards and execution. Allegations include the absence of competitive bidding for contracts exceeding 50 million FCfa, failure to consult the Central Public Procurement Directorate (Dcmp), and failure to obtain required ministerial approvals for contracts worth over 300 million FCfa. These violations, according to Sonko, have led to financial losses for the state and raised serious concerns about transparency.

Unregulated financial operations and missing funds

Investigators have uncovered troubling financial irregularities, including a 2 billion FCfa deposit at Ecobank whose origins, management, and use remain unexplained. Additionally, 13 bank accounts—far exceeding the three mentioned in official records—were used to manage program funds, with 864.8 million FCfa dispersed without proper documentation. Shockingly, 800 unused computers, purchased with public funds but never distributed to students, were found stored at Cheikh Anta Diop University, many showing defects.

In 2023 alone, 1.4 billion FCfa was transferred to a non-contracting intermediary company for the purchase of 7,055 computers, despite no valid contract being on record for that fiscal year. Investigators allege the state was forced to make duplicate payments for these purchases, further inflating the financial burden on taxpayers.

Key officials implicated in the scandal

Sonko’s commission is examining the roles of ministers, directors, and senior officials from the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation (Mesri), the Ministry of Finance, and other public entities involved in the program since 2017. The probe targets all individuals and organizations connected to the program’s contract awards, fund management, and execution, including the Regulatory Authority for Public Procurement (Arcop) and financial institutions handling program funds.

The findings suggest a pattern of disregard for public procurement laws, with repeated failures to follow due process. Sonko and his allies argue that these irregularities have had severe economic and social repercussions, warranting a thorough parliamentary inquiry to restore accountability and prevent future misuse of public funds.