Sonoco Company is set to revolutionize Sierra Leone’s food landscape with a whopping $50 million flour mill in Freetown, poised to churn out a staggering 6,000 tons daily and cement the country’s status as a West African food powerhouse. The announcement was made by Mustapha Gning, Sonoco’s Project Coordinator, during a parliamentary oversight visit by the Committee on Trade and Industry, led by Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay.

Gning stated that the new facility aims to meet local demand while producing a surplus for export across Africa and beyond. The mill will feature a 40,000-ton storage capacity and modern technology designed to enhance food security, stabilize flour prices, and boost Sierra Leone’s competitiveness in the regional market. “This $50 million investment will transform Sierra Leone into a flour production hub,” Gning remarked.

The project is expected to create significant employment opportunities, particularly for young people, and will include training programs in breadmaking and bakery management. During the parliamentary visit, MPs raised concerns about gender balance within Sonoco’s workforce, noting the lack of female representation among the team present. The chairperson emphasized the importance of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, which mandates at least 30% female representation in employment.

In response, Sonoco’s Safety Manager clarified that women comprise over 40% of the company’s workforce, many in managerial roles, and explained that the construction phase requires more physical labor, which limits female involvement on-site.

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Despite these concerns, the committee praised Sonoco for its rapid investment. 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 expand its investments beyond Freetown to create jobs nationwide and help combat youth unemployment. The flour mill project represents one of the largest private sector investments in Sierra Leone’s food industry in recent years, with construction progressing rapidly. If successful, it could reduce the country’s reliance on imported flour, stabilize bread prices, and support the government’s efforts to attract foreign direct investment.