Freetown, 17th August, 2026– The United States has signaled its intent to use the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact, DFC‑backed investments including the Nant Energy project and broader bilateral engagement as leverage in advancing a potential Critical Minerals Agreement (CMA) with Sierra Leone.
This position was implied during the confirmation hearing of Ambassador‑designate Daniel Travis, who told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that he would deploy “the full range of U.S. government tools available, including our MCC compact, DFC investments, and bilateral engagement, to advance reforms that benefit American businesses.”
Travis emphasized that U.S. diplomacy expects Sierra Leone to take American strategic and commercial priorities seriously. “Where governance falls short and American interests are affected, I will raise those concerns directly and privately with Sierra Leonean leadership. That is the basis of a productive relationship, and it is the approach I will bring to Freetown,” he said.
A reliable source within government confirmed that a U.S. team visited Freetown between July 26–29 to discuss the CMA. However, the U.S. Embassy clarified that while a delegation did travel during that period, the visit was unrelated to critical minerals.
“A U.S. delegation traveled to Sierra Leone on June 26–29 to discuss commercial relations. The visit was unrelated to critical minerals,” the Embassy confirmed in response to inquiries made by Truth Media.
The remarks come as Washington seeks to reset its relationship with Africa, moving away from aid dependency toward trade, investment, and mutual benefit. Travis told lawmakers:
“The United States is resetting its relationship with Africa. We are moving away from aid and dependency toward trade, investment, and mutual benefit. Sierra Leone is a place where that vision can deliver real results, and if confirmed, I intend to make it happen.”
He underscored Sierra Leone’s importance to U.S. commercial and strategic interests, citing its critical minerals essential to American manufacturing and national security, existing American investments in telecommunications, energy, and mining, and its potential role as a destination for U.S. LNG exports through the DFC‑backed Nant Energy project.
Travis also highlighted Sierra Leone’s regional significance as the outgoing chair of ECOWAS, noting that its leadership is consequential at a time of intensifying competition for economic, strategic, and diplomatic influence across West Africa.
Within Sierra Leone, we can confirm that Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Daniel Mattai and other government officials met a couple of weeks ago along the Freetown Peninsular to discuss the CMA and develop a proposal to be presented to the U.S government
In response to questions about the CMA, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education reveals that the agreement is being negotiated, but nothing specifically has been approved.
“The agreement is being negotiated. We are at advanced stages. Nothing is approved yet, so it will be premature to share specific provisions. The relationship is that, if and when approved by all parties, it will form part of the broader USA investment in Sierra Leone and part of our broader mutually beneficial partnership,” Chernor Bah, Minister of Information and Civic Education.
As government decides on the next steps, the debate centers around pursuing foreign investment and strategic partnerships while safeguarding sovereignty and ensuring that reforms reflect national priorities.
