By Shadrach Aziz Kamara
Sierra Leone’s Parliament has on Tuesday 4th August 2026, ratified four investment agreements aimed at boosting local manufacturing, food processing, cement production, and industrial development, while urging Government to strengthen oversight, ensure value for tax concessions, and promote affordable locally manufactured products.
The agreements, tabled by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Alpha Ibrahim Sesay, cover:
Solid African Manufacturing Limited (SAM), Real Value Foods Limited, Five Star Food Industries Sierra Leone Limited and Rockcem Sierra Leone Limited for the establishment of a clinker grinding and cement manufacturing plant at Kissy, Freetown.
The agreements were approved with reservations, requiring Government to review relevant provisions in response to concerns raised during the parliamentary debate.
Leading the debate for the Opposition, Acting Opposition Leader Hon. Daniel Koroma expressed broad support for the investment proposals but called for several amendments to strengthen the agreements.
Koroma proposed reducing some concession periods, arguing that companies should be able to establish themselves within a reasonable timeframe before beginning to meet their tax obligations.
He also highlighted drafting inconsistencies, including errors in the numbering of clauses, urging the Ministry to correct the documents before implementation.
Speaking on the cement investment agreement, Koroma welcomed plans to move from cement importation and repackaging to full local manufacturing, saying the development has the potential to create significant employment opportunities.
He noted that once local production increases, supply would eventually exceed demand, resulting in lower cement prices for consumers.
“By the time they begin manufacturing cement locally instead of simply importing and repackaging, I cannot imagine the level of employment this will create,” he said.
While expressing full support for the agreements, Koroma maintained that the identified drafting issues should be addressed during implementation.
Acting Leader of Government Business Hon. Bashiru Silikiealso endorsed the agreements but reminded Government that Parliament had previously approved similar investment arrangements whose promised benefits were never fully realised.
He recalled earlier commitments by cement companies to introduce small packaging sizes and eventually establish full-scale manufacturing plants in Sierra Leone, noting that many of those promises remain unfulfilled.
“We have approved many agreements on cement before. We were assured they would begin with repackaging and later manufacture cement here. We now want to see those commitments fulfilled,” he said.
Silikie urged the Ministry of Trade and Industry to ensure that companies benefiting from tax waivers and other incentives deliver tangible benefits to Sierra Leoneans.
He argued that locally manufactured products should be more affordable than imported alternatives, enabling consumers to benefit directly from government concessions granted to investors.
“If companies receive tax incentives, the people should feel the difference in prices. There must be a clear distinction between locally produced goods and imported products,” he stressed.
The Acting Government Business Leader also proposed that Parliament establish a special oversight mechanism to review previously ratified investment agreements and assess whether companies are complying with their commitments.
He further called for strict quality control measures and stronger enforcement by the Standards Bureau to prevent the proliferation of substandard goods on the local market.
Responding to the debate, Minister of Trade and Industry Alpha Ibrahim Sesay thanked Members of Parliament for what he described as an objective and constructive assessment of the agreements.
He assured the House that all recommendations and observations would be considered during implementation.
The Minister said Government remains committed to promoting the Feed Salone initiative by encouraging investments that strengthen food production, processing and distribution while ensuring commodities remain affordable across the country.
He also acknowledged concerns over corporate social responsibility, employment opportunities for women and young people, environmental protection, and food safety.
Sesay disclosed that Government is reviewing the national investment code with the National Investment Board to provide greater incentives for industries willing to establish factories outside Freetown as part of efforts to promote balanced regional development.
The Minister reiterated that protecting local industries remains a key priority, explaining that Government is carefully reviewing requests for increased import duties to avoid shortages while supporting domestic manufacturers.
He acknowledged that high energy costs remain one of the biggest challenges facing industrial development in Sierra Leone, making local production more expensive than in neighbouring countries.
On the cement sector, Sesay confirmed that companies are transitioning from simple repackaging to clinker grinding and full manufacturing.
He expressed confidence that increased competition would reduce cement prices and eventually position Sierra Leone as a cement-exporting country.
Regarding concerns over standards and substandard goods, the Minister announced that Cabinet has approved plans for a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to modernize the country’s standards laboratories.
He explained that the upgraded laboratories would enable Sierra Leone to meet international certification requirements, improve product quality, strengthen enforcement against substandard goods, and expand export opportunities.
“I hope that before the end of this year we will bring the agreement before Parliament to strengthen the laboratory capacity of the Standards Bureau,” he said.
At the conclusion of the debate, Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas put the motion to a voice vote.
Members unanimously approved the four agreements, with Parliament specifically directing that the relevant provisions of the Five Star Food Industries Sierra Leone Limitedagreement be reviewed in line with concerns raised by Hon. Daniel Koroma and Hon. Bashiru Silikie.
The ratification marks another step in Government’s drive to attract investment, promote industrialization, create jobs, and expand local manufacturing, while reinforcing Parliament’s insistence on accountability and measurable benefits from investment incentives.
