Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, January 15, 2026 Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources has urged the global mining industry to diversify production and invest in value addition within Africa, during the Future Minerals Forum held in Riyadh from January 13–15.
The forum, which has grown from 35 participating countries five years ago to over 100 governments and 70 of the world’s largest mining companies this year, has been described by a Canadian delegate as “the Davos of mining.”
Speaking at the Ministerial Roundtable, Umaru Napoleon Koroma Esq emphasized the need for manufacturing companies to be established in resource-rich nations. “Africa provides most of the raw materials. It is time we ensure beneficiation and value addition happens here on the continent,” he said.
He warned against the risks of concentrating mineral production in a handful of countries, echoing concerns raised by other speakers. “With today’s global uncertainties, relying on a few nations for finished products is dangerous. These countries could use supply as a tool of dominance,” he noted, stressing the importance of responsible mining and environmental protection.
Napoleon Koroma also joined fellow African counterparts at the Africa Mineral Strategy Group roundtable, where discussions with the World Bank and industry leaders focused on unlocking Africa’s vast mineral potential. He called for deeper collaboration in exploration. “We must know more about the minerals we have and their quantities. Only then can we negotiate better and make informed decisions about exploitation,” he explained.
Beyond the conference halls, the minister took time to reaffirm his faith, performing Umrah in the holy city of Mecca. “Grateful to Allah, my maker,” he shared after the pilgrimage.
The Future Minerals Forum continues to position itself as a key platform for shaping the future of mining, with Africa’s role increasingly at the center of global discussions.
