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US$20 Million Financing Package Finalised to Boost Palm Oil Processing in Sierra Leone


Sierra Leone’s palm oil processing sector has received a major boost following the finalisation of a US$20 million financing package from Proparco, the French development finance institution, aimed at expanding the operations of Jolaks Manufacturing Company Limited.

The financing, Proparco’s first direct investment in Sierra Leone, was secured under the Africa Resilience Investment Accelerator (ARIA) initiative and is now being implemented, according to details of the agreement first signed in November 2024. The loan will support the expansion of Jolaks’ existing refinery capacity, the installation of a biomass power plant, and strengthened links with local smallholder farmers.

Jolaks, a subsidiary of the family-owned Pee Cee Holding Ltd, currently processes up to 300 tonnes of crude palm oil per day at its Freetown refinery, converting it into refined cooking oil sold under brands such as Padi, as well as soap and by-products. The company employs more than 400 people and already supplies the domestic market while exporting to several ECOWAS countries.



Proparco’s Regional Director for West Africa, Sadio Dicko, described Jolaks as a “key player for the Sierra Leonean population,” noting that the financing would enable the company to process more palm oil locally and secure the supply of this staple commodity. ARIA Country Manager for Sierra Leone, Valerie Entsiful, said the company’s objectives were “very clear, both in terms of food security and creating jobs for young people in Sierra Leone”.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Henry Musa Kpaka stated that Sierra Leone has transitioned from being a net importer of vegetable oil to a net exporter, with palm oil production growing “by at least 8% to 10% every year”. He highlighted the tangible household impact, noting that the company’s success allows families to send their children to school and access sufficient food.

For local smallholder farmers, the expansion represents a more reliable market for their produce. Cecilia Jimmy, a farmer who has supplied Jolaks since 2001, said the company “pays us a good price, so we always come back to them”. The increased capacity is expected to encourage higher production and reduce post-harvest losses that have historically plagued rural producers with limited market access.

The investment aligns with the government’s broader objectives of job creation, import substitution, and agricultural self-sufficiency. Minister of Trade and Industry Alpha Ibrahim Sesay noted the country’s commitment to attracting investment in agriculture and related sectors.

The Jolaks project is part of a wider push by the Pee Cee group, which also operates large-scale onion farming and processing in Lungi under the government’s Feed Salone initiative.

With increased local processing capacity, Jolaks is positioned to reduce Sierra Leone’s foreign-exchange leakage from vegetable oil imports while strengthening the link between rural farming communities and the national market.



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WFP Expression of Interest – Supply, Delivery Installation, Training And After Sales Support for Cereal Processing Equipment


REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) 26/03 FOR THE SUPPLY, DELIVERY, INSTALLATION, COMMISSIONING, TRAINING, AND AFTER SALES SUPPORT OF CEREAL PROCESSING EQUIPMENT FOR WFP SL IN SIERRA LEONE

Closing on 19th June 2026 at 13:00 hrs (Sierra Leone Time)

A.    Background

  1. The United Nations World Food Programme hereinafter referred to as the “WFP”, with its Headquarters located in Via C.G. Viola, 68/70, 00148 Rome, Italy is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience by assisting almost 100 million people in around 83 countries each year. About 17,000 people work for the organization, most of them in remote areas, directly serving the hungry poor.
  2. The WFP on behalf of other UN agencies in Sierra Leone seeks to purchase goods and services, being the supply, delivery, installation, commissioning, training and aftersales support for cereal processing equipment from a reputable local or international firm.
  3. WFP invites eligible suppliers to express their interest in providing the requested goods and services.

B.    The purpose of this EOI

  1. The purpose of this request for EOI is to identify suppliers with verified technical and financial capacity to provide the goods and perform the service. Eligible suppliers will be invited to participate in the bidding process for the proposed tender.
  2. Eligibility to participate in the proposed tender shall be open to both nationally registered firms within Sierra Leone and qualified international service providers, and will be determined based on the following criteria:

The bidder must be a duly established and competent full-service engineering firm with a minimum of four (4) years of verifiable and relevant experience. The firm must demonstrate proven capacity to deliver a complete, end-to-end solution encompassing the supply, delivery, installation, commissioning, training, and provision of after-sales support services, thereby ensuring the successful deployment of a fully operational cereal processing line.

Furthermore, the bidder must be legally registered and in full compliance with all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements within its country of registration and operation. In addition, the bidder must possess the requisite capacity and readiness to meet all legal, regulatory, and statutory obligations governing the provision of goods and services within Sierra Leone. Evidence of compliance, including valid registration documents, licenses, certifications, and any other relevant documentation, must be provided to substantiate eligibility.

  1. After the deadline for submission of responses has passed, WFP will evaluate responses received and will notify eligible participants of the outcome of the evaluation.

C.    How to prepare and submit your Expression of Interest

  1. In order to participate in the pre-qualification exercise, companies are required to provide the following:

The filled in EOI Response Form, which includes:

  • Table 1. WFP Requirements
  • Table 2. Supplier Information.
  • Table 3. Supplier Financial Status.
  • Table 4. Supplier Relevant Experience.
  • Signatory by the authorized company representative and company stamp.
  1. All supporting documentation listed above shall be prepared in accordance with the instructions provided and sent by email to: [email protected]
  2. WFP will not consider incomplete or unsigned submissions. All responses and supporting documentation received will be treated as strictly confidential and will not be made available to the public.
  3. This request for EOI does not constitute a solicitation. WFP reserves the right to change or cancel this procurement process or any of its requirements at any time during the process; any such action will be communicated to all participants.
  4. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]



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LRMG Inaugurates 30 MPTA Processing Plant and Heavy Fuel Oil power plant in Tonkolili


In a historic event on April 8, 2024, Leone Rock Metal Group (LRMG) celebrated the inauguration of its groundbreaking 30 MTPA processing plant and heavy fuel oil power plant at its Tonkolili Mine site in Sierra Leone. This plant, capable of delivering 10 million tons per year, represents a significant advancement in optimizing ore into 66% iron concentrate.

LRMG, renowned for its vertical integration approach, has set a new industry standard. Salim Sillah, Chief Technical Officer of LRMG, highlighted the company’s growth trajectory, citing the recent launch of the $200 million 12 million tons processing plant and the current $500 million investment in the 30 million tons facility within two years. Describing LRMG as “ambassadors of change,” Sillah emphasized the company’s dedication to innovation and progress.

Collin Ding, President of LRMG, underscored the project’s importance for Sierra Leone, noting the creation of over 6,000 jobs thus far, with plans to expand to 15,000 by 2025 through this project. This substantial job creation aligns with President Bio’s ambitious goal of generating 500,000 jobs by 2028. The project promises significant benefits in terms of royalties, fiscal revenue, and overall development for the country.



Julius Mattai, Minister of Mines, praised LRMG’s contributions to Sierra Leone’s mining sector, highlighting their track record of integrity and success. The collaboration between LRMG and MML resulting in the export of $800 million worth of iron ore underscores the company’s positive impact on the national economy and its commitment to collaborating with other companies to enhance the mining industry.

In his statement, Sierra Leone Vice President, Dr. Alhaji Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh commended LRMG for its dedication and investments, recognizing its pivotal role in advancing Sierra Leone economically and socially. The project symbolizes a beacon of progress for the nation, with the government committed to supporting initiatives that drive prosperity and growth.

LRMG’s Tonkolili Iron Ore project emerges as a global player in the industry, positioning Sierra Leone prominently on the world stage. The project not only enhances the country’s economic outlook but also enriches its human capital, emphasizing the collaborative efforts that have enabled this transformational project.

As the local community, government officials, and stakeholders unite in celebrating this significant milestone, the inauguration of LRMG’s processing plant marks a momentous step towards a brighter future for Sierra Leone and its people.



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LRMG Inaugurates 30 MPTA Processing Plant and Heavy Fuel Oil power plant in Tonkolili


In a historic event on April 8, 2024, Leone Rock Metal Group (LRMG) celebrated the inauguration of its groundbreaking 30 MTPA processing plant and heavy fuel oil power plant at its Tonkolili Mine site in Sierra Leone. This plant, capable of delivering 10 million tons per year, represents a significant advancement in optimizing ore into 66% iron concentrate.

LRMG, renowned for its vertical integration approach, has set a new industry standard. Salim Sillah, Chief Technical Officer of LRMG, highlighted the company’s growth trajectory, citing the recent launch of the $200 million 12 million tons processing plant and the current $500 million investment in the 30 million tons facility within two years. Describing LRMG as “ambassadors of change,” Sillah emphasized the company’s dedication to innovation and progress.

Collin Ding, President of LRMG, underscored the project’s importance for Sierra Leone, noting the creation of over 6,000 jobs thus far, with plans to expand to 15,000 by 2025 through this project. This substantial job creation aligns with President Bio’s ambitious goal of generating 500,000 jobs by 2028. The project promises significant benefits in terms of royalties, fiscal revenue, and overall development for the country.



Julius Mattai, Minister of Mines, praised LRMG’s contributions to Sierra Leone’s mining sector, highlighting their track record of integrity and success. The collaboration between LRMG and MML resulting in the export of $800 million worth of iron ore underscores the company’s positive impact on the national economy and its commitment to collaborating with other companies to enhance the mining industry.

In his statement, Sierra Leone Vice President, Dr. Alhaji Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh commended LRMG for its dedication and investments, recognizing its pivotal role in advancing Sierra Leone economically and socially. The project symbolizes a beacon of progress for the nation, with the government committed to supporting initiatives that drive prosperity and growth.

LRMG’s Tonkolili Iron Ore project emerges as a global player in the industry, positioning Sierra Leone prominently on the world stage. The project not only enhances the country’s economic outlook but also enriches its human capital, emphasizing the collaborative efforts that have enabled this transformational project.

As the local community, government officials, and stakeholders unite in celebrating this significant milestone, the inauguration of LRMG’s processing plant marks a momentous step towards a brighter future for Sierra Leone and its people.





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