In a bid to enhance the implementation of local content laws, the Sierra Leone Local Content Agency (SLLCA) on Thursday, October 02, 2025 signed a partnership implementation agreement with Sonoco SL Limited, at the Agency’s Conference Hall in Freetown.
The Director General of the Agency, Fodeba Daboh, stated that under Section 58 of the SLLCA Act 2016, all operators and contractors are required to sign an annual agreement with the Agency to integrate Sierra Leonean citizens into their workforce as exemplified by this partnership agreement signed with Sonoco SL Limited.
He said that agreement represents a critical milestone in operationalizing and integrating Local Content within their company’s framework, particularly the manufacturing and service sector in country, noting that both the Agency and the Company have made tangible commitments to ensure it full implementation.
This signing ceremony is a testament of Sonoco’s commitment to embed inclusive, sustainable and legally compliment local content practices in their operations across workforce development, procurement and technology transfer and broader economic contribution.
“His Excellency the President Rtd Brig said “we must insist in the implementation of our local content laws in Sierra Leone” and this is what the Agency and Sierra Mineral Holdings Is here to compliment,” he added, noting that the specific purpose of this signing is to ensure that the Company integrate Sierra Leonean talents, businesses and institutions into the value chain in a meaningful and progressive manner.
He explained that the agreement provides a structured framework for planning, implementing, and reporting local content obligations, aligns the Company’s initiatives with national development priorities particularly job creation, enterprise development and knowledge transfer, adding that the agreement establishes a transparent compliance roadmap to ensure accountability and measurable outcomes under the Local Content Act.
He pointed out that this agreement will lead to increased employment and skills development opportunities for Sierra Leoneans, prioritizes procurement and supplier development that will foster the growth and competitiveness of Sierra Leonean suppliers, enabling them to access contracts and build capacity through direct participation in the supply chain.
He furthered that the Company has committed to investing in the technological competence of Sierra Leonean staff and local firms through technology transfer, adding that Sonoco has the capacity for Sierra Leoneans to be capacitated. “Looking through the approved Local Content Plan, Sonoco is committing to invest in building Sierra Leone competence through trainings, joint ventures and access to modern tools and processes,” he said.
He stated that the Agency will give routine technical support to Sonoco SL Limited to facilitate linkages with local institutions, TVET training institutions and universities to support their workforce as well as to monitor compliance and performance in line with national priorities.
He thanked them for their show of commitment in Maximizing Local Content in their company’s $50 million flour mill investment, activities and operations in Sierra Leone.
The Managing Director of Sonoco SL Ltd, Mark Pritchard on the other hand made commitments to give priorities to Sierra Leoneans and Sierra Leonean businesses in terms of job creation and procurement, noting that Sonoco will also ensure increased participation of citizens in unskilled, semiskilled, skilled and management roles across all operations.
He said that both parties have made joint commitments, adding that they see this progressing in the future not just about compliance, but about collaboration and partnership.
He said that they are investing more $50 million in flour mill in country. He disclosed his love to helping Africans achieve its potentials.
He stated that while the company currently employs about 70 people, this number is expected to grow to around 350 when operations begin next year. He is optimistic that the next managing director could be a Sierra Leonean and highlighted the strong representation of Sierra Leoneans and women in leadership roles. Emphasizing their commitment to technology transfer, he pledged full support to the Agency for implementing the agreement, describing it as a living document integral to the company’s operations.
The signing ceremony was concluded with the presentation of the Notice of Approval for the company’s Sierra Leonean Content Plan, along with the issuance of a Certificate of Authorization.
