In a bid to operationalize the implementation of Local Content law, the Sierra Leone Local Content Agency (SLLCA) and FG Gold Limited have on Friday, June 27th, 2025 signed a Local Content Plan Implementation Agreement, at the Agency’s Conference Hall in Freetown.

The signing ceremony was attended by senior management staff of SLLCA and FG Gold Ltd.

The Director General of SLLCA, Fodeba Daboh said that the signing of this agreement represents a critical step in operationalizing the Agency’s Act of 2016 within the mining and extractive sectors.

“This agreement formalizes FG Gold’s commitment to embed inclusive, sustainable, and legally compliant local content practices into its operations across workforce development, procurement, technology transfer and broader economic contributions,” DG Daboh said.

The Corporate Development and Investor Relations Director of FG Gold Ltd, Nicola Asgill said that they have a ‘Local First Approach to everything’ where priority is given to Sierra Leoneans and Sierra Leonean businesses in terms of job creation and procurement.

She said, “Although the project is still under construction and development, operations are set to begin next year. With support from the Local Content Agency, significant investment has been made in local content. Currently, 90% of FG Gold’s workforce are Sierra Leoneans, over 55% are from the project-affected communities (Zone 1), and more than 70% are former artisanal miners.”

The Sierra Leone Local Content Agency on Wednesday, 25^th June, 2025 commences formal engagement with Ministries Department and Agencies (MDAs). According section 14, subsection 2(g) part of its mandate is to ensure the development of capabilities of local companies to the   implementation of interior décor in all Government institutions across the country. The objective of this move is to promote the use of our locally made furniture and fittings for their interior décor to showcase our cultural heritage and to boost the local economy.

This will also create business linkages and first consideration to Sierra Leonean companies bidding for procurement materials, products, and goods for Ministries Departments and Agencies so as to fully benefit from the supply chains and contribute to the development of the economy.

Section 66(1)(2), as enshrined in the Act of 2016, states that the agency shall set up a consultative body known as the Sierra Leone Local Content Consultative Forum, which shall provide a platform for information sharing and collaboration in the sectors covered by the 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.

The heart of the second quarterly meeting held on Tuesday, 3rd June 2025, hosted by the Ministry of Finance, focused on the presentation of 2025 Priority Areas (work plan) developed by the newly established standing committee to aid the implementation of the 2025 priority areas. Multi-stakeholder groups have been included to broaden the forum’s perspective and reinforce accountability. Key among the other discussions was the setting up of various subcommittees to enhance the planning, which includes the Project Pipeline, Capabilities, Mapping, and Policy Regulations subcommittees. It is expected that the resource mobilization and support will also be set up in due course.

The meeting was chaired by the Director-General of the Local Content Agency, Fodeba Daboh, who underscored the importance of driving local content-related issues in order to collectively enhance economic growth, as it is trending in other countries. He commended the participation and commitment of stakeholders for their relentless effort in pushing the local content initiative forward, hoping that there would be light at the end of the tunnel when all hands continue to be on deck.
The meeting was attended by stakeholders from government, public and private sectors, professional associations, and regulatory agencies.