Korovy Val, Moscow, 17th August 2026 – A delegation of Sierra Leonean mining professionals who recently completed advanced training in Russia paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Ambassador Mohamed Yongawo at the Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone in Moscow.
The delegation comprised staff members from the National Minerals Agency (NMA) and the Ministry of Energy. Five participants spent one year enrolled in the International MBA Program in “Subsoil – Mineral Resources Management” at Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University. Meanwhile, another four undertook a one-month specialist course in mining, diamond polishing and precious materials in Moscow.
The MBA graduates – Ms. Musu Tucker, Mr. Badara Koroma, Ms. Kadiatu Bangura, Ms. Adamasira Jalloh, and Mr. Musa Kabba – successfully defended their final theses and received their degrees following intensive study during the 2025/2026 academic year.
During the meeting, Ambassador Yongawo commended the graduates for their dedication to rigorous academic training under expert lecturers and urged them to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills for the benefit of the NMA and Sierra Leone’s broader mining sector.
He also expressed appreciation for the strong representation of women among the trainees, noting that it was consistent with President Julius Maada Bio’s vision of promoting greater participation of women across all sectors of national development, including through the 30 percent quota initiative.
Ambassador Yongawo also acknowledged the support from their colleagues and superiors at the NMA and the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources provided throughout their studies. He noted that the sustained efforts of the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Hon. Julius Daniel Mattai, and the Director General of the NMA, Ing. Hadji Dabo, including continued engagement with their Russian counterparts through meetings and memoranda of understanding, are yielding positive results.
“The graduates will prove themselves not only as strong managers for the mining industry, but also as drivers of positive change,” Ambassador Yongawo stated.
The seasoned Sierra Leonean diplomat expressed confidence that the knowledge and expertise the graduates acquired would help strengthen Sierra Leone’s mineral resource sector while creating opportunities for deeper bilateral cooperation between Sierra Leone and Russia.
In their response, the graduates thanked the Ambassador and his staff, the Government of Sierra Leone, the Ministry, and the NMA for giving them the opportunity to undertake the training in Russia. They praised the quality of Russian higher education and described their MBA program as a testament to the high standard of instruction they received. They also shared their experiences of adapting to Russia’s harsh winter conditions.
The training program was organized with the support of the Russian Ministry of Finance and the International Competence Center for Mining Engineering Education under the auspices of UNESCO.
A total of 19 representatives from eight countries participated in the program, gaining both theoretical knowledge and practical skills based on Russia’s extensive experience in the mineral resources sector. The training included instruction at the university’s technological sites and laboratories, as well as practical exposure at partner companies’ production facilities and relevant Russian ministries.
Concluding the gathering, Ambassador Yongawo expressed appreciation to President Julius Maada Bio and His Excellency Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, for the friendly relations and cooperation between Sierra Leone and Russia. He expressed hope that the partnership would continue to grow, particularly in mining, education, energy, skills development, and technology transfer.
The meeting concluded with a luncheon hosted by the Embassy in Moscow in honor of the graduating students, celebrating their achievements and the successful completion of their professional training.
For More Inquiries:
Festus J. Lahai
Information Attaché
Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone
Moscow, Russian Federation
Email:
Website: www.slembassyrussia.org
