By Stephen V. Lansana
Sierra Leone: In a significant move to strengthen local participation in the mining sector, the Sierra Leone Local Content Agency (SLLCA) and Sierra Mineral Holdings Limited on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, signed a Local Content Plan Implementation Agreement at the Agency’s Conference Hall in Freetown.
The ceremony, attended by senior management from both institutions, marked a pivotal step in operationalizing the Sierra Leone Local Content Act of 2016. Director General of SLLCA, Mr. Fodeba Daboh, described the agreement as a structured framework to embed inclusive, sustainable, and legally compliant local content practices into Sierra Mineral Holdings’ operations.
“This agreement formalizes the company’s commitment to workforce development, procurement, technology transfer, and broader economic contributions,” Daboh said. “It sets a clear roadmap for compliance, promoting transparency and accountability.”
He emphasized that the agreement aligns with national priorities such as job creation, skills development, and enterprise growth. Quoting President Rtd Brig Julius Maada Bio, Daboh reiterated the importance of enforcing local content laws: “We must insist on the implementation of our local content laws in Sierra Leone.”
The Director General further stated that the agreement obligates Sierra Mineral Holdings to prioritize employment, training, human resource development, and succession planning for Sierra Leoneans. He expressed optimism about the company’s cooperation and pledged technical support from the Agency to ensure full implementation.
During the event, Daboh presented the Certificate of Authorization to Sierra Mineral Holdings, explaining that Section 40(1) of the Local Content Agency Act mandates all foreign companies to submit and gain approval for a Local Content Plan. The certificate, featuring a unique QR code, confirms the company’s compliance with this legal requirement.
General Manager of Sierra Mineral Holdings Limited, Mr. Aleksei Panov, affirmed the company’s dedication to local empowerment. “We prioritize Sierra Leonean suppliers, skill transfer, and sustainable development,” he said, noting that 70 percent of their workforce hails from mining communities and that local suppliers receive first consideration in procurement.
Director of Human Resources, Zhanna Volosevich, highlighted the company’s internal promotions and succession planning. She reported that 96 percent of their employees are Sierra Leoneans and praised the Local Content Agency for its role in ensuring indigenous participation in employment and mining contracts.
“Local content is one of the most important institutions in the country because it prioritizes Sierra Leoneans,” Volosevich said, commending the Director General and his team for their guidance and support.
The ceremony concluded with the formal presentation of the Notice of Approval for Sierra Mineral Holdings’ 2025–2027 Local Content Plan and the issuance of the Certificate of Authorization, reinforcing a shared commitment to inclusive growth and national development