The Sierra Leone Local Content Agency (SLLCA) on Tuesday, June 30th 2026 held its Second Quarter Consultative Forum meeting at the National Youth Commission (NAYCOM) Conference Hall, New England in Freetown.
The consultative meeting which brought together representatives from the ACC, NCPC-SL, Sierra Leone Institute of Engineers, TVET Council, National Youth Commission, Sierra Leone Insurance Commission Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, National Investment Board, Ministry of Justice, National Communication Authority, Ministry of Trade and Industry, NCTVE, SLUTech, SMEDA, MoDEP, Sierra Leone Standard Bureau, National Petroleum Directorate, UNDP, OBT Shipping Company, Sierra Leone Importers Association, and SLARI, among others, provides a platform for information sharing and collaboration in the sectors covered by local content laws 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.
Delivering a welcome address as the host institution, the Director of M&E at NAYCOM, Yusuf S. Kamara highlights the importance of this platform in providing job opportunity for the youths. He urged members of the forum to strengthen partnership in making sure that local content laws are fully implemented.
He encouraged members to meaningfully contribute towards the implementation of the local content laws.
In his address, the Director-General of SLLCA, Fodeba Daboh thanked NAYCOM for hosting the meeting, noting that the meeting is hosted rotationally. He explained that section 66 of the Agency’s Act 2016 established this consultative forum meeting with the aim of collaborating with relevant stakeholders in the implementation of the local content laws, noting that the Agency wants to ensure that members from the forum, embed local content implementation into their programs.
Discussing about matters arising, the Director General highlighted the issue of foreign companies employing foreigners in certain jobs that are meant for Sierra Leoneans. He said for instance that in their just concluded Local Content Audits, they discovered that some of the mining companies employed foreign staff as admin officers as if there is no qualified Sierra Leoneans to perform that function.
“We want to put Sierra Leoneans first when it comes to employment, and procurement, among others,” he said, adding that “members should strengthen local content laws and embed it into their operations”.
He added that the work of the Agency cut-across every sector, assuring that they want to make sure that Sierra Leoneans take ownership of the economy, emphasizing that His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has always said the future of this country is in the hands of women and youths.
He called on all forum members to put Sierra Leoneans first, and encouraged them to remind their institutions to prioritize local content implementations.
Director General Daboh warmly welcomed the representative from the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice and noted that the Agency relies on the Ministry to provide legal opinions whenever the need arises, particularly on matters relating to offences and penalties against companies that violate local content laws.
The Project Analyst of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Elizabeth Agatha Musah acknowledged that there are many problems on the implementation of the local content laws, but collaborative efforts will help to address these issues, noting that leaders should be intentional in the implementation. She called for advocacy. “We need the media to popularize this initiative,”
She disclosed that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by strengthening their capacity, improving market access, and promoting locally made products.
Responding, the representative from the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Edward Sarkoh, Esq., acknowledged the Agency’s concerns. He explained that many companies tend to engage directly with the Ministry, rather than the Agency, on matters relating to local content. He further emphasized that most investors typically approach senior officials within the Ministry instead of working through the Agency.
He encouraged all stakeholders to act in good faith and strengthen collaboration to ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of local content laws.
The Deputy Development Secretary of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), Usman C. Conteh suggested that the Director-General of the Sierra Leone Local Content Agency (SLLCA) engage the Minister of Planning and Economic Development to explore the best ways to mobilize resources within and among local businesses and communities.
A presentation was delivered on the Local Content Consultative Forum Sub-Committee Work Plan, outlining the committee’s strategic priorities, planned activities, and implementation timeline.
