Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, represented the country at the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 13th to 15th January 2026.
The forum, which began five years ago with 35 countries, has grown into a major global mining event, bringing together over 100 governments and more than 70 leading mining companies.
During the Ministerial Roundtable, Deputy Minister Koroma called for greater diversification in mineral production and urged the establishment of manufacturing and value-addition facilities in Africa, the continent where most raw materials originate. He emphasized the need for responsible mining practices while protecting the environment and warned against concentration of mineral production in a few countries.
Deputy Minister Koroma also participated in the Africa Mineral Strategy Group roundtable, discussing with the World Bank and other industry stakeholders how African countries can unlock their mineral potential. He highlighted the importance of exploration to understand mineral quantities and improve negotiations for resource exploitation.
Following the conference, Deputy Minister Koroma performed Umrah in the holy city of Mecca, reaffirming his faith in Islam.
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