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Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister, Timothy Kabbah, and Deputy Minister of Mines, Hon. Umaru Napoleon Koroma, arrived in Washington, D.C. on Monday, February 2, 2026, to attend the United States Critical Minerals Ministerial, following an invitation from U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
The high-level meeting brings together government officials and industry leaders to discuss ways to strengthen and secure global supply chains for minerals considered critical to advanced technologies and national security.
Organisers say the talks are focused on improving access, reducing risks in supply chains, and expanding cooperation between producing and consuming countries.
According to report, delegates will prioritise urgent global demand for copper, lithium, uranium and rare earth elements, among other strategic resources.
The meeting is expected to feature bilateral discussions and negotiations on mineral rights and access, particularly in African countries with large untapped reserves.
U.S. officials have framed the initiative as part of the Trump administration’s broader “America First” strategy, aimed at reshaping strategic resource sourcing and reducing reliance on supply chains controlled by foreign competitors, organisers said.
Several African nations, including Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have been invited to participate. Minister Kabbah and Deputy Minister Koroma are expected to use the summit to advance the country’s national interests by attracting investment, securing technical cooperation, and negotiating terms that protect Sierra Leone’s sovereignty while supporting long-term development in the mining sector.
Sierra Leone’s delegation will also emphasise environmental safeguards and community benefits in any future mineral agreements, reflecting the government’s stated commitment to responsible resource management.
The United States Critical Minerals Ministerial is expected to conclude with statements of intent and potential frameworks for cooperation, as participating countries seek to balance growing global demand with national development goals and security concerns.
