By Stephen V. Lansana
Freetown, March 26, 2025—The Sierra Leone Local Content Agency (SLLCA) convened its first quarterly Consultative Forum Meeting of the year in the Agency’s conference hall in Freetown. The event brought together stakeholders from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), alongside private sector representatives, to foster collaboration and enhance Sierra Leonean content development.
Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, Road Maintenance Fund Administration, National Telecommunications Authority (NatCA), NCTVA, National Investment Board, OBT Shipping Company, National Consumer Protection Commission, Ministry of Finance, National Youth Commission, Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and others.
In his opening address, the Director General of SLLCA, Mr. Fodeba Daboh, emphasized the importance of the Forum, which is established under Section 66 of the Agency’s Act, 2016. He explained that the Consultative Forum provides a platform for sharing information, discussing upcoming projects, and exploring local capabilities to enhance Sierra Leonean content in various sectors. “This platform enables stakeholders to come together to promote local business and foster collaboration between government, the private sector, and civil society organizations,” DG Daboh said.
He stressed the statutory obligation of the Forum to implement local content laws, noting that its success depends on the active involvement of all member institutions. DG Daboh also expressed his desire to better understand the operations of Forum members to ensure that the benefits of local content policies are effectively directed toward indigenous Sierra Leonean businesses and communities.
Highlighting the need to empower local businesses to compete on a global stage, DG Daboh remarked, “Our goal is to ensure that the economy of this country is in the hands of Sierra Leoneans. For far too long, the economy has been dominated by foreigners. It’s time for us to create opportunities that enable our local entrepreneurs to thrive.”
He acknowledged existing capacity gaps but pointed out ongoing efforts by institutions such as NCTVA, the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau, and the Ministry of Higher Education to bridge these gaps. DG Daboh also outlined the Agency’s role in job creation and its responsibility in regulating work permits for foreign nationals.
The Deputy CEO of the Road Maintenance Fund Administration, Mr. Bashir Sheriff, highlighted the critical role of the Ministry of Labour in ensuring that Sierra Leoneans are prioritized in the job market. He underscored the importance of collaboration between the Ministry and the Agency in promoting local employment and reducing dependency on foreign workers.
Mr. Sheriff Barrie, a representative of the Sierra Leone Importers Association, echoed the call for stronger collaboration between the Ministry of Labour and the Local Content Agency, particularly regarding work permit issuance. He also advocated for a review of the Agency’s Act to align with current trends and suggested the inclusion of an in-house legal practitioner to handle legal issues arising during enforcement.
Adding to this, Mr. Martin Rogers, a Legal Officer at the Ministry of Finance, emphasized the necessity of employing an in-house legal expert at the Agency. He cautioned that relying solely on the Law Officers Department could hinder the Agency’s work due to the heavy workload handled by the department.
The meeting concluded with discussions on strategies to enhance collaboration among stakeholders and drive the implementation of local content policies. Attendees reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that Sierra Leoneans benefit from economic opportunities, while maintaining quality standards across various sectors.