The Sierra Leone Local Content Agency (SLLCA) and Serra Mineral Holdings Limited have on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 signed Local Content Plan Implementation Agreement, at the Agency’s Conference Hall in Freetown.
The signing ceremony was well attended by the senior management staff of the Serra Mineral Holdings Limited and staff of the Agency.
Speaking on the rationale of signing of the Local Content Plan Implementation Agreement, the Director General of SLLCA, Mr. Fodeba Daboh said that the signing represents a critical step in operationalizing the Sierra Leone Local Content Act of 2016 within the mining sector.
He explained that the agreement formalizes Sierra Mineral Holdings’ commitment to embed inclusive, sustainable, and legally compliant local content practices into its operations across workforce development, procurement, technology transfer, and broader economic contributions.
He added that the agreement establishes a structured framework for planning, implementing, and monitoring the company’s local content obligations, in alignment with national priorities such as job creation, skills development, and enterprise growth, adding that it also sets a clear, roadmap to ensure compliance with the Local Content Act, promoting transparency and accountability.
“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. “Ultimately, this agreement is a demonstration of mutual accountability and a shared vision, ensuring that foreign direct investment results in tangible, lasting benefits for the people and the economy of Sierra Leone.”
He stated that by signing of this agreement means that the company has agreed to fully comply with the Agency’s Act particularly when it comes to employment, training, human resource development and succession plan. He disclosed that he wants to see more Sierra Leoneans in managerial roles within the Company.
He is optimistic that the Company will work inline with the agreement, disclosing that the Agency will give the Company the technical support so that the agreement will be fully implemented.
Presenting the Certificate of Authorization, the Director General explained that Section 40(1) of the Local Content Agency Act requires all foreign companies operating in Sierra Leone to formally submit a Local Content Plan to the Agency. He noted that the certificate of authorization is only issued to companies whose plans have been submitted and approved, in line with this legal requirement, noting that the certificate has a securitized feature which is a QR Code that is unique only to the company.
The General Manager of Sierra Mineral Holdings Limited, Mr. Aleksei Panov said that they prioritized Sierra Leonean suppliers, transfer of skills, sustainable development growth. He said that 70 percent of their employees are from the mining communities, noting that they also give first consideration to local suppliers for the procurement of good and services.
He assured that the Company will fully implement the agreement.
The Director of Human Resources of Sierra Mineral Holdings Limited, Zhanna Volosevich said that the Company has worked inline with the Local Content outline, disclosing that they have many promotions within the Company. She said that they have succession plan which guides them.
She said that they have about 96 percent of Sierra Leoneans employed.
She said that local content is one of the most important institutions in country because it prioritizes Sierra Leoneans, commending the Director General and team for their hard work in ensuring that indigenous Sierra Leoneans are not only employed, but mining contracts are awarded to them.
She also commended the Director General for his guideline in ensuring that their company fulfils all the requirements for the award of Certificate of Authorization.
The signing ceremony concluded with the presentation of the Notice of Approval for the company’s 2025–2027 Sierra Leonean Content Plan, along with the issuance of a Certificate of Authorization.
