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Sierra Leone took a leading role in advocating for African mineral sovereignty at the 5th edition of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF), held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center from January 13 to 15, 2026.
Representing the nation, Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources Umaru Napoleon Koroma joined leaders from over 100 governments and 70 of the worldโs largest mining companies at the forum, now widely referred to as the “Davos of Mining.” Since its inception five years ago with participation from just 35 nations, the FMF has grown into a premier platform for Africa, Western and Central Asia, and Latin America.
During the high-level Ministerial Roundtable, Deputy Minister Koroma emphasized that Africa must move away from the traditional model of exporting raw materials.
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- ๐๐จ๐๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ Tours Newly Reopened Orange Digital Centre (ODC) ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐s ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ค๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐
โConcentrating the production of raw materials in just a few countries is dangerous for global stability,โ Koroma said. โWe must diversify production by establishing manufacturing and processing facilities in the countries where these materials originate, particularly in Africa.โ
A key focus of his address was value addition and beneficiation. Koroma argued that local processing not only generates jobs and economic resilience but also prevents mineral supply chains from being leveraged as โinstruments of global dominanceโ by a small number of nations.
As part of the Africa Mineral Strategy Group, the Deputy Minister also participated in an Africa-focused roundtable with the World Bank and major industry players. Discussions centered on closing infrastructure gaps and responsibly unlocking the continentโs mineral wealth.
Following the conclusion of the three-day forum, Deputy Minister Koroma traveled to the holy city of Mecca to perform Umrah, offering prayers for Sierra Leoneโs continued prosperity and peaceful development.
The 2026 FMF ended with several major announcements, including a new framework for infrastructure financing in Africa a direct outcome of advocacy efforts by leaders like Sierra Leoneโs Deputy Minister.
