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Gento Group Hands Over Kasafoni Land to Sierra Leone Government
The Gento Group of Companies has formally transferred ownership of the Kasafoni land to the Sierra Leone government, following a high-level meeting at the offices of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice in Freetown.
Mohamed Gento Kamara, CEO of Gento Group, said the handover resolves all outstanding disputes and encumbrances, enabling the government to freely engage with prospective investors to develop the area’s mineral resources.
Kamara urged authorities to seek “suitable investors who can help develop this resource,” stressing that the transfer removes investment barriers and accelerates development of the Kasafoni iron ore deposit.
The company’s vision for Kasafoni includes establishing a strategic logistics link between the mine site and the Banana Island Transhipment Port. Kamara highlighted the importance of a standard-gauge railway to create a robust “pit-to-port” supply chain capable of facilitating large-scale iron ore exports, ultimately driving economic growth for the country.
Government officials, including representatives from the Attorney General’s Office, welcomed the handover, describing it as timely and in the national interest. They emphasised the need for prompt action on complementary infrastructure projects to bring the Kasafoni deposit into production efficiently.
The announcement aligns with broader discussions on infrastructure requirements to unlock Sierra Leone’s mining potential. Finance Minister Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura previously identified five critical infrastructure developments necessary for projects like Kasafoni, including standard railways and upgraded port facilities. Gento Group has expressed willingness to support these initiatives, provided the government offers funding and an enabling policy framework.
Kamara also proposed a pragmatic, cost-effective option for ore export: using existing port facilities such as Pepel Port, where the government holds a 20% stake in traffic rights. This approach, he explained, could expedite development and reduce costs while combining existing assets with targeted new infrastructure.
The CEO emphasised that the decision to transfer Kasafoni is driven by national development priorities rather than commercial gain. “This is not just about making money; it’s about laying the groundwork for a better future for all Sierra Leoneans,” he said, calling for collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, the Mineral Wealth Fund, and the Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Development and Management Corporation (SLMMDMC).
The handover is expected to pave the way for negotiations between the government and investors to fund mine development and the associated logistics network.
Observers note that success will depend on coordinated action, including finalising investor agreements, financing infrastructure, managing mining revenues transparently, and implementing environmental and social safeguards for local communities.
