Freetown, August 12, 2025 – The Sierra Leone Local Content Agency (SLLCA) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) held a meeting on Tuesday to continue with the discussion of the implementation of Phase II of the Opportunity Salone Project.
The purpose of the meeting was to familiarize with Mr. James S. Koroma, Founder and CEO of Business Services Company Ltd, who has joined the project team as key project partner to enhance data and delivery.
Like the Phase I, the Phase II also focuses on supporting entrepreneurs involved in the cassava flour and palm kernel oil value chains. The initiative which is funded by the European Union under the ILO’s Opportunity Salone Programme seeks to strengthen capacity, improve certification and quality control, and build consumer confidence in locally made products.
On behalf of the SLLCA and its Director General, the Chief of Operations Mr. Morlu Brewah welcomed the ILO team and Mr. James S. Koroma. He praised the ILO for their unwavering support to the agency, assuring them of continued collaboration and a healthy working relationship with him. He assured Mr. Koroma that the agency would work with him to achieve the sought out goal on behalf of the people of SL, particularly our local entrepreneurs. He emphasised that the gains to be made by the ILO and SLLCA would be data driven and evidence-based
Mr. Tonderai Manoto, the Chief Technical Advisor for the Opportunity Salone Project provided updates, noting that the project had undergone restructuring following the departure of its Communications Officer and the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer.
He said that the new partner [Mr. Koroma] will update the database and hopes that the data will be useful to SLLCA and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), adding that Mr. Koroma will look at the available data to see how best it will be synchronised.
“Communications functions have now been subcontracted to a specialized firm,” he added. “Although there was a brief funding delay due in part, to additional funds being secured.”
He disclosed that the project has created about 1,000 jobs.
Mr. Koroma shared plans to review the project’s existing data and oversee its management. His team will conduct data collection in Bo, Port Loko, and other parts of the country, while also training field staff in effective data-gathering methods.
He disclosed that by September, initial progress reports are expected to be available, enabling other government agencies to better understand the project’s reach an impact.
The Director of Operations, Mohamed Sannoh emphasized that strong collaboration will be crucial to achieving project goals.
The Director of Skills, Mrs. Isata M. Fornah expressed confidence in the readiness of the team. Highlighting the success of Phase I, she stated that the agency looks forward to a smooth and impactful implementation of Phase II.
