Freetown, 3rd February 2026 – Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Timothy Kabbah, and Deputy Minister of Mines, Hon. Umaru Napoleon Koroma, arrived in Washington on February 2, 2026, to represent the country at the United States Critical Minerals Ministerial Summit. The high-level meeting is being hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Serena Hotel.
The summit brings together African and global partners to deliberate on securing and diversifying supply chains for critical minerals such as copper, lithium, uranium, and rare earth elements. These resources are vital to advanced technologies and national defense, and the conference is expected to shape new agreements aimed at strengthening supply line security.
For Sierra Leone, participation underscores the country’s growing role in global resource diplomacy. The United States is expected to push for bilateral agreements and negotiations with African nations, targeting access to mineral rights that are essential to its strategic industries.
The initiative forms part of the Trump administration’s broader “America First” strategy, designed to reduce reliance on foreign-controlled supply chains and ensure long-term national security. Alongside Sierra Leone, countries such as Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo have also been invited to the summit, reflecting Africa’s central role in the global minerals market.
The Washington meeting is seen as a pivotal moment for Sierra Leone, offering opportunities to strengthen partnerships, attract investment, and position the nation as a key player in the emerging critical minerals economy.
