By Stephen V. Lansana
Freetown, Sierra Leone – April 30, 2025 Winners of the ILO Opportunity Salone Business Competition in the Cassava Flour and Palm Kernel value chains have expressed their appreciation to the Sierra Leone Local Content Agency (SLLCA) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for providing financial support to expand their businesses.
The competition, initially launched in 2023 across four districts—Bo, Kenema, Bombali, and Port-Loko—allowed finalists to advance to the national level in Freetown, where they received capital assistance under the EU-funded Jobs and Growth Programme. The initiative supports small enterprises producing beauty products from palm kernel oil and those specializing in cassava flour-based bread, pastries, and confectioneries.
Impact of the Opportunity Salone Initiative
To evaluate the success of the program, the SLLCA hosted a press briefing on April 30, 2025, at the Miatta Conference, Youyi Building in Freetown, where beneficiaries shared their experiences.
Mustapha Bayoh, representing Sierra Soap Factory, revealed that his company has employed persons with disabilities in Bombali district, training them in soap production using palm kernel oil. He further disclosed that the ILO, with support from SLLCA, approved Le 452,000 to help expand their business.
> “This funding will improve our packaging, allow us to purchase new equipment, and create more job opportunities for the youth in Bombali,” Bayoh said.
He emphasized that growing their business will strengthen local supply chains and empower Sierra Leonean entrepreneurs to play a greater role in the national economy. He also noted that their products are now stocked on the ‘Made in Sierra Leone’ shelves in Freetown supermarkets and appealed to the Local Content Agency to extend the initiative across the country.
Similarly, Salamatu Thullah, CEO of Dim-Din Agro Company in Port Loko, shared how her women-led agricultural enterprise has benefited from the program.
> “After winning the business competition, we were asked to pitch our expansion plan, and the ILO approved a budget of Le 250,000 to help us buy equipment and employ more staff,” Thullah explained.
She added that the Local Content Agency helped build their capacity in packaging, marketing, and customer relations, improving their business operations.
Government’s Commitment to Supporting Local Entrepreneurs
Addressing participants, Morlu T. Brewah, Chief of Operations at SLLCA, reiterated the Agency’s dedication to fostering business linkages and promoting a friendly investment climate—an effort driven by the political will of President Julius Maada Bio.
> “We urge local entrepreneurs to maximize the opportunities provided. Some of the funds will be released in installments, and we expect beneficiaries to use them wisely,” Brewah advised.
The ILO Opportunity Salone initiative continues to transform businesses, enhancing job creation, boosting local industries, and reinforcing Sierra Leone’s commitment to sustainable economic growth.
PHOTO: MUSTAPHA Bayoh, representing Sierra Soap in Makeni district displaying his soap products produced from Palm Kernel