The Sierra Leone Local Content Agency on Tuesday, 29^th July 2025 held a strategic meeting with the Directorate of Policy, Planning and Research of the Ministry of Trade and Industry on the Review of the 2016, Local Content Act at the Agency’s conference room, 21 Steward Street, Freetown.

This comes as a result of the Ministry receiving request from the Director-General of the Agency to the parent Ministry to support in the review of the Agency’s Act. The Director, Policy Planning and Research of the Ministry, Mr. Francis M. Jabati said having perused the 2016 Act of the Agency, identified many areas to be reviewed as the writers of the Act at that time considered the current trend of events when it was written, and many things have changed, he said. Considering the current trend, he said there is need to review the Local Content 2016 Act; the Local Content Policy and develop the Local Content Regulations. He went further to say that the Agency should consider the funding source and the road map in the review of the act. He reiterated that as parent Ministry, they are ready to support the Agency in the review as this forms part of the Annual Work Plan of the Minister, referencing the current move of the Ministry in supporting the review of the Cooperative Act of 1977.

Responding, the Director-General, Fodeba Daboh appreciated the visit of the team from MTI and said this review has been planned since he assumed office in 2019, but the issue has been the funding source and reiterated the timeliness of this activity. He said the Agency has a broad mandate to transform the economy and reference the request the agency has made to development partners like GIZ and ILO but this has not been fruitful. Since the Agency has the mandate to regulate, these development partners might not be interested to support the review that would regulate their operations and he thus advised that the team should be careful in the quest to request support from development partners towards the review of the Act. DG Daboh assured Director Jabati that the LCA team will give this drive a priority and would identify focal persons that will lead in the process of reviewing the act.

Director, Policy Planning and Research of the Ministry of Trade and Industry recommended that a strategy would be design along the LCA team to source funding and advise that everyone needs to read the act and the policy thoroughly so as to understand the grey areas as stakeholders would also be informed during the review process so that the document would come out to reflect the expectations of the Government and the Sierra Leonean indigenes. He requested the Agency to bring this discussion in the pending leadership meeting of the Ministry that would be held on the 4^th August, 2025 at the Ministry’s conference hall, so that all other heads of MDAs supervise by the Ministry would be informed in order to plan the way forward in sourcing funds for the review process as the Minster himself wants to see the review of the LCA Act comes to reality.

Acting Points

1. DG appointing the focal people to lead the process
2. Formation of a WhatsApp group to include MTI Director- Policy Planning and Research team
3. Presentation of this discussion to the pending MTI Leadership meeting
4. Popularize this meeting on all social medial platforms

Are you a Sierra Leonean youth-led business looking to grow your business online?

Use this link to apply: https://surveys.intracen.org/response/G2tIYndQQQAFblNxXlN_S0d6cHs

The International Trade Centre’s (ITC) READY Salone project is here to help you start your e-commerce journey!

Funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Communications, Technology and Innovation, the project aims to unlock economic opportunities for young entrepreneurs and youth-led businesses in the digital economy.

Selected businesses will benefit from a 6-month, free e-commerce support programme that includes:

• Tailored training on how to develop your e-commerce strategy and sell products and services online
• Individual coaching from an experienced e-commerce advisor
• Access to digital tools and platforms
• Support to connect with business partners and customers in new markets

This is a unique opportunity to build your digital capacity and position your business to thrive in today’s digital economy.

Eligibility criteria

• Be a youth-led business (i.e. A business owned or managed by individuals aged up to 35 years)
• Be based in the Western district of Sierra Leone
• Strong interest to grow your business through e-commerce

How to apply

• Please complete the application form carefully and respond to all mandatory questions.
• The deadline for submission is 31 July 2025.
• We especially encourage applications from women and persons with disabilities. 
• Use this link to apply: https://surveys.intracen.org/response/G2tIYndQQQAFblNxXlN_S0d6cHs

Shortlisted applicants may be asked to provide supporting documents, and selected candidates will be contacted in September 2025 and introduced to their e-commerce mentors.

Note: For this cohort, only businesses based in the Western District are eligible. Additional districts will be included in 2026.

Please note that ITC is treating any information you provide strictly confidential.

Use this link to apply: https://surveys.intracen.org/response/G2tIYndQQQAFblNxXlN_S0d6cHs

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.

On April 30th, 2025, winners of the ILO Opportunity Salone Business Competition from the Cassava Flour and Palm Kernel value chains expressed their gratitude to the Sierra Leone Local Content Agency (SLLCA) and the International Labour Organisation for awarding them funding to boost their businesses.

It could be recalled that in 2023, the Sierra Leone Local Content Agency (SLLCA), in partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), held the ILO Opportunity Salone Business Competition across four districts of Bo, Kenema, Bombali, and Port-Loko, with finalists advancing to a national level in Freetown to receive capital support. The project, part of the EU-funded Jobs and Growth Programme, supported small businesses producing beauty products from palm kernel oil and those making bread, pastries, and confectioneries using cassava flour. To assess its impact, SLLCA hosted a press briefing on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at the Miatta Conference, Youyi Building in Freetown where beneficiaries shared success stories highlighting how the initiative transformed their businesses.

Explaining the benefits of the ILO Opportunity Salone project, MUSTAPHA Bayoh, representing Sierra Soap Factory, said that they employed persons with disabilities in Bombali district and trained them on how to use palm kernel to produce soap. He said

He disclosed that ILO has approved the sum of Le 452,000 through the support of SLLCA for them to expand their business, noting that this funding will be used to improve on our packaging, buy new equipment and create more jobs opportunities for the youths in Bombali district.

He said that expanding their business will create employment for local businesses within the supply chain thereby enabling Sierra Leonean businesses to take ownership of the economy.

He disclosed that through Local Content Agency, their product is currently available in the Made in Sierra Leone shelves created in the supermarkets in Freetown. He appealed to the Agency to rollout that initiative so that their soap product will be available across the country.

Salamatu Thullah, CEO of Dim-Din Agro Company in PortLoko, a company that comprises group of women in agriculture, uses cassava flour to produce Bread, Pastry and Confectioneries.

She explained that after winning the business competition organized by SLLCA in partnership with ILO, they were asked to pitch a business, disclosing that ILO has approved a budget of Le 250, 000.

She said that the money will be used to buy equipment and employ more staff.

She said Local Content Agency built their capacity in packaging, marketing and customer relations which has added value to their business.  

Morlu T. Brewah, the Chief of Operations of SLLCA disclosed that this is part of the Agency’s strives to build business linkages and create friendly investment climate, noting that the friendly investment climate is as a reason of the political will created by President Bio. He admonished the local entrepreneurs to make good use of the money, noting that some of the monies will come by installments.

In a bid to ensure compliance to the local content laws, a team from Sierra Leone Local Content Agency (SLLCA) led by the Director General, Fodeba Daboh has from Tuesday, April 1^st, 2025 to Friday, April 4^th, 2025 conducted Local Content Audits on key mining companies and their contractors and subcontractors in the North/West region of Sierra Leone.

On the 1^st of April to the 3^rd, the Agency audited Kingho Railway and Port, at Pepel in PortLoko district and Kingho Mining Company at Feregbenya in Tonkolili district, both companies being subsidiary to the Leone Rock Metal Group, a company that mines Iron Ore. On April 4^th, the Agency also audited Marampa Mines Limited (MML) and its contractors and subcontractors.

The purpose of this audit, as disclosed by DG Daboh, was to assess Leone Rock Metal Group and its contractors and subcontractors’ adherence to the Sierra Leone Local Content Agency Act, 2016.

The SLLCA team observed that the management of Leone Rock Metal Group (LRMG) appeared unwilling to provide essential documents like vendors list, work permit and curriculum vitae of foreign staff which were essential documents for the audit.

The Director General (DG) of SLLCA, Fodeba Daboh, expressed disappointment over missing documents that hindered the evaluation of LRMG subsidiary companies’ compliance with local procurement and workforce development regulations.

Key issues included missing financial documents for local vendors, absent employment records, and no evidence of local content plans or training.

The audit revealed that both Kingho Railway and Port and Kingho Mining Company lacked crucial documents like procurement records, purchase orders, contracts with local suppliers, and vendor financial details, raising transparency concerns.

Additionally, there were no CVs for foreign staff, including the HR Manager, and no proof of applications for expatriate quotas or work permits, violating Sierra Leone’s legal requirements.

Furthermore, the company failed to provide any work permits for foreign staff. The audit also highlighted a lack of training programs aimed at local capacity development, further emphasizing the company’s non-compliance with the local content requirements.

The audit also found no records of local capacity-building training or assessments, despite claims of training.

DG said that section 40of the Sierra Leone Local Content Act, 2016, mandate operators to submit a Local Content Plan before beginning operations, ensuring compliance with local content requirements, noting that after submission, the plan is reviewed by the Agency, which may issue a certificate of authorization if the plan meets the requirements.

He emphasized that the plan must prioritize Sierra Leonean goods, services, and employment. The audit revealed that Kingho and its contractors lacked a Local Content Plan, a management team, and a succession plan, violating the Act. DG Fodeba Daboh gave the company 21 days to submit the plan, offering support in its preparation.

DG explained that work permit issuance starts with the SLLCA which is pursuance to section 56(3) of the Agency’s Act, noting that expatriate quotas must be approved by the SLLCA.

DG Daboh specifically requested the insurance details for the mining equipment and properties, noting that, according to the law, such assets should be insured with local indigenous insurance companies. He warned against the company opting for offshore insurance contracts.

DG Daboh also encouraged the companies to insurance their assets with local insurance companies.

Despite these shortcomings, the DG praised the company’s efforts in corporate social responsibility for 2023 and 2024, but emphasized that local content compliance is more than just employing locals—it’s about ensuring that the full value chain, from procurement to insurance, benefits Sierra Leonean businesses and services.

In response, Samuel Kamara, the Compliance Officer for Leone Rock Metal Group, acknowledged the audit findings and expressed a commitment to resolving the identified issues. He explained that some of the requested documents were located at the company’s headquarters in Freetown and promised to work with the finance department to ensure that the necessary records, including insurance details, are provided in the future.

While the audit team remains disappointed by the lack of transparency, they expressed hope that the company will work to rectify these issues in subsequent audits, thereby ensuring better compliance with Sierra Leone’s local content laws.

The audit which was concluded at Marampa Mines Limited (MML) at Lunsar in PortLoko district saw a relatively better compliance to Local Content laws from MML and some of its contractors and subcontractors as compared to Leone Rock Metal Group. The Agency observed that MML is giving contracts to both local and foreign contractors and subcontractors.

Whilst DG Daboh applauds MML for it compliance, he however encouraged them to finalize their Local Content Plan and submit it to the Agency within 21 days.

Based on the audits, some of the contractors and subcontractors of MML, particularly the China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG), are violating the Agency’s act, and DG Daboh urged MML to ensure that its contractors and subcontractors comply with the local content laws.  

He encouraged all the mining companies to give priority to indigenous Sierra Leoneans in awards of contracts. He frowned at Mining companies awarding haulage contracts to foreign companies instead of Sierra Leonean companies.  

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.

In a bid to ensure effective and enhanced business linkages for Local entrepreneurs, the Sierra Leone Local Content Agency (SLLCA) on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 holds a roundtable business Linkage Meeting with Hotels and Restaurants Owners, at the Agency’s Conference Hall in Freetown.

The meeting was attended by Business Development Department and representatives from Roy’s Hotel and Restaurant, Atlantic Hotel, and Peaki Residence Hotel.

The purpose of the meeting, focusing on market/supplier issues and collaboration between local suppliers and big businesses which is pivotal for fostering an inclusive and sustainable business environment.

The Private sector development officer of SLLCA, Sarah M.T Bao  said that creating Business linkages for our local entrepreneurs is a key deliverable in the work of the Sierra Leone Local content Agency, cognizance of the Big Five Game Changer as per Hos Excellency the President Rtd. Brigadier General Julius Maada Bio’s agenda. Through it’s match making strategy, the agency in the recent past has linked several local businesses various sectors of the economy with multi-national companies locally as well as internationally.

She assured measurable outcome of the monthly sectorial business linkage meetings, the Agency will thoroughly follow-up with local entrepreneurs on the number of business contracts received due to its intervention.

“Additionally, strengthening these ties between local suppliers and larger companies can lead to more sustainable and resilient supply chains, which is beneficial for the broader economy,” she said.

The representatives from the Hotels thanked the Agency for such collaboration and expressing interest in the idea of collaborating with local suppliers to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of their supply chains, noting that getting goods from the local suppliers will lower the transportation costs and potentially reduce the lead time for receiving necessary supplies.

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Ibrahim Alpha Sesay said on Tuesday January 9^th, 2024 that local content is a driver of industrialization aimed at promoting the utilization of domestic resources as inputs along value chains thereby achieving the objectives of increasing average local content levels, capacity utilization, and manufactured exports.

He made this comment when delivering a keynote address at the Local Content Workshop organized by Sierra Rutile Limited (SRL) at the New Brookfields Hostel in Freetown. The workshop was well attended by the Director General of Sierra Leone Local Content Agency, including other Heads of Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), staff of the Sierra Rutile Limited (SRL), local suppliers, contractors, and service providers.

He added that the mandate of the Sierra Leone Local content Agency is to promote Sierra Leonean content development by strengthening the domestic private sector and to promote a friendly investment climate that supports local supply chains and build a competitive workforce, adding that the 2016 Act is a legal regulatory mechanism in ensuring that local content provisions are implemented.

“Similarly, companies should understand it is their responsibility to give preference to qualified local businesses, especially those within the environment where the company is operating,” he said.

He said the Government will continue to encourage mining companies such as SRL to build the capacities of local businesses so they can deliver quality services and to operate fair and transparent procurement and employment policies which allow indigenous Sierra Leonean businesses and Sierra Leoneans to gain procurement contracts and employment.

He pointed out that Sierra Rutile should also be committed to regular engagement and communication with local suppliers to ensure they understand what SRL want and can easily navigate their contracting and procurement processes and be part of a transparent supply chain.

He encouraged all beneficiaries of this workshop to treat it with the seriousness that it deserves, noting that as local contractors, suppliers and service providers, such platforms do not only increase your knowledge and capacity in conducting business with multi-national companies, but also broaden your network and provide increased business linkages for you.

The Director General of Sierra Leone Local Content Agency, Mr. Fodeba Daboh said that Sierra Rutile Limited has been around forever and so much is expected of them when it comes to Local Content delivery. “And for them taking the lead in having this Local Content workshop, tells us their strong show of commitment, and we look forward to more other companies not only within the mining sector, but other productive sectors to emulate same. Rest assure the Agency is always ready to give its support where applicable,” DG Daboh added.

He encouraged the Local Suppliers to know that Local Content is about competitiveness, value addition and more. “Thus, we do not settle for substandard. Local Suppliers also have to understand their obligations when it comes to service delivery. In order to ensure there is utilization of Sierra Leone goods and services, preferential margins of 10% is given to domestic suppliers by virtue of Sierra Leone Local Content Agency Act of 2016,” he said.

He pointed out that another aspect he must not leave out is, the perception about Local Content which have been considered far too long as, ‘highly complex, rigid and defined as too harsh.’ “However, it may interest you to know the Sierra Leone Local Content Agency Act 2016 is materially less harsh than comparable regulation in a number of other African countries where Local Content is a high-profile public policy,” he disclosed. “I tell you ladies and gentlemen; we have been more of facilitators than regulators of the 2016 Act. Therefore, it can be argued that, the provisions on local content in the 2016 Act is positioned as an incentive in terms of the limited restrictions to market access for foreign suppliers, the realistic targets for hiring Sierra Leonean citizens and the achievable objectives for encouraging raw material inputs to manufactured products compared to other African countries.”