The Sierra Leone Local Content Agency (SLLCA) in collaboration with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) and Private Sector players on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 held the first quarterly Consultative Forum Meeting, at the Agency’s Conference Hall in Freetown.

The meeting brought together stakeholders from Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, Road Maintenance Fund Administration, National Telecommunication Authority (NatCA), NCTVA, National Investment Board, OBT Shipping Company, National Consumer Protection Commission, Ministry of Finance, National Youth Commission, and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, among others.

In his opening remarks, the Director General of SLLCA, Mr. Fodeba Daboh explained that pursuant of s. 66 of the Agency’s Act, 2016 mandates the Agency to set up a consultative body to be known as the Sierra Leone Local Content Consultative Forum which shall provide a platform for information sharing and collaboration in the sectors covered by this Act with respect to – upcoming projects in the sectors; information on available local capabilities; and other policy proposals that may be relevant to Sierra Leonean content development, adding that this section created the platform for stakeholders to come together to discuss and promote local content business.

DG Daboh added that the Forum has a statutory obligation to work towards the implementation of local content laws which are clearly spelt out in the Act, pointing out that that the work of this institution doesn’t alone lies in the hands of this directorate but rather with the institutions that forms part of the Forum.

He said that the aim of this forum is to foster collaboration among the government, private sector and the civil society organisations. “It means, the work of this Agency doesn’t only lies in the hands of the directors within the Agency, but rather, this forum must be seen to drive this process,” he said.

DG Daboh has expressed a desire to clearly understand the operations of forum members to ensure that the benefits provided are effectively directed towards the indigenous Sierra Leoneans businesses and communities. At the same time, he emphasized the importance of upholding established standards and not compromising on quality in the process.

He said that they went to ensure that the economy of this country is in the hands of the Sierra Leoneans, adding that they want to see indigenous businesses competing at the global stage, adding that they don’t just want to compete at local level.

He said that this forum is responsible for gathering information on new and ongoing projects within their various institutions which will be beneficial to local entrepreneurs thereby enabling them to compete, pointing out that for far too long, the economy of this country has been in the hands of foreigners.

DG Daboh is aware of the capacity gap in the country, but stated that that is NCTVA , Sierra Leone Standard Bureau, and the ministry of Higher Education, among other institutions are working together to ensure that they bridge the capacity gap.

The Director General further explains the role of the Agency in job creation and the Agency’s role in granting work permit for foreign nationals.

The Deputy CEO of Road Maintenance Funds Administration, Mr Bashir Sheriff emphasizing the critical role of the Ministry of Labour in collaborating with the Agency, and highlights an essential aspect of national development, noting that this partnership ensures that Sierra Leoneans are prioritized in the job market, which is vital for promoting local employment opportunities and reducing dependency.

A representative from the Sierra Leone Importers Association, Mr. Sheriff Barrie also calls for collaboration between the Ministry of Labor and Local Content with regards the issuance of work permit. Issues around the review of the Agency’s Act in line with the current trend was discussed and the need to collaborate with NIB and also to have an in-House legal practitioner which will handle legal issues that may arise in the process of regulating and enforcing the Agency’s Act.

A Legal Officer of the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Martin Rogers ESQ said that the Agency need to employ an in-house legal practitioner so that he will handle legal issues and develop regulations, if the agency wholly depends of Law Officers Department, it work will be impeded because Law Officers have several work on their table.