By Kadijatu Bangura, Daily Scope Reporter
Sonoco Company is set to make a significant impact on Sierra Leone’s food industry with the announcement of a $50 million flour mill project in Freetown. The facility is expected to produce an impressive 6,000 tons of flour daily, positioning Sierra Leone as a key player in the West African food market. The announcement was made by Mustapha Gning, Sonoco’s Project Coordinator, during a recent parliamentary oversight visit led by Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay, Chair of the Committee on Trade and Industry.
Gning emphasized that the new mill aims to fulfill local demand while generating a surplus for export across Africa and beyond. Equipped with a storage capacity of 40,000 tons and utilizing state-of-the-art technology, the facility is designed to enhance food security, stabilize flour prices, and bolster Sierra Leone’s competitiveness in the regional market. “This investment will transform Sierra Leone into a flour production hub,” Gning stated.
The project is anticipated to create substantial employment opportunities, particularly for youth, and will include training programs in breadmaking and bakery management. However, during the parliamentary visit, concerns were raised regarding gender representation within Sonoco’s workforce, given the noticeable lack of female presence among the team. The chairperson highlighted the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, which mandates at least 30% female representation in employment.
In response, Sonoco’s Safety Manager noted that women constitute over 40% of the company’s workforce, with many in managerial positions. He explained that the construction phase requires more physical labor, which limits female participation on-site.
Despite these concerns, the committee commended Sonoco for its swift investment in the country. Hon. Sesay expressed optimism about the project’s potential to contribute to national development, stating, “We are impressed with your effort and investment in this country.”
MPs also encouraged Sonoco to consider expanding its investments beyond Freetown to help address nationwide unemployment, particularly among youth. This flour mill project represents one of the largest private sector investments in Sierra Leone’s food industry in recent years. If successful, it could significantly reduce the country’s reliance on imported flour, stabilize bread prices, and support the government’s initiatives to attract foreign direct investment.
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