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Sierra Leone has issued a strong call for greater value addition and domestic processing of Africa’s natural resources at the ongoing Africa Oil Week (AOW) 2026 conference in Accra.
Addressing delegates, investors, and international stakeholders during the multi-day industry summit, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, stressed that the continent must move past the traditional model of exporting raw, unrefined minerals.
“The true value of natural resources lies in local processing that creates jobs, supports domestic industries, and ensures that local communities receive tangible benefits,” Minister Koroma stated.
Leading the Sierra Leonean delegation alongside John D. Cooper, Director of Policy and Research, the Deputy Minister took part in high-level Ministerial dialogues focused on the event’s central theme, “Investing in Africa’s Natural Resources.”
Beyond domestic industrialisation, Sierra Leone urged stronger inter-African cooperation to establish integrated regional value chains. Panellists at the summit highlighted that regional partnerships are essential for unlocking joint infrastructure, attracting sustained private investment, and strengthening cross-border trade across West Africa.
The initiative comes as resource-rich African nations increasingly leverage national policy frameworks to promote local content, capture downstream value, and ensure extraction translates into broader economic development.
Sierra Leone’s active participation at AOW 2026 reinforces the nation’s commitment to driving job growth, industrial capacity, and localised economic impact through sustainable mineral management.
