By Foday Moriba Conteh
His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, has called for ethical governance, sustainable development and enhanced regional cooperation in Africa’s diamond industry. He made the remarks during the official opening of the 10th Ordinary Meeting of the African Diamond Producers’ Association (ADPA) Council of Ministers and Committee of Experts, held alongside the Sierra Leone Mining Week and Exhibition 2025 in Freetown.
In his keynote address at the Bintumani Conference Centre on Aberdeen in Freetown, President Julius Maada Bio, emphasized the importance of the meeting in shaping the future of Africa’s diamond sector.
“We stand at a crucial juncture in the history of diamond production on our continent, one where the decisions made today will echo like the radiance of a well-cut diamond for generations to come,” President Bio said.
The President commended the outgoing ADPA Chairman, Hon. Winston Chitando of Zimbabwe and congratulated Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Hon. Julius Daniel Mattai, who is assuming the Chairmanship of the Association.
Calling ADPA a beacon for unity and shared prosperity, the President underscored the need for harmonized legal frameworks, mutual technical assistance and transformation of conflict diamonds into instruments of peace and sustainable development.
He highlighted Sierra Leone’s strides in reforming its mining sector through legal and institutional overhaul, including the enactment of the Mines and Minerals Development Act 2022, National Minerals Agency Act 2023 and the Extractive Industries Revenue Act 2018.
“We have strengthened governance in the mining industry through enhanced oversight, community engagement and comprehensive reforms,” he noted.
President Bio reiterated the Government’s commitment to ensuring that Sierra Leone’s diamonds contribute directly to the development of local communities. He referenced the incorporation of the Diamond Area Community Development Fund (DACDF) into national policy as a means of returning mining revenue to the people.
He also called on African countries to go beyond exporting raw diamonds and focus on value-added processes such as cutting, polishing and jewelry manufacturing, which would create jobs, increase revenue and reduce over-reliance on commodity exports.
Addressing recent unrest in Sierra Leone’s diamond-rich Kono District, President Bio acknowledged the complexity of disputes in the mining sector, but emphasized the Government’s dedication to lawful and balanced resolution.
“No one may supplant or bypass our constituted democratic authority,” he stated. “We are engaging all relevant stakeholders with a single purpose: to forge a solution that is both sustainable and just.”
President Bio described the ADPA meeting and Sierra Leone Mining Week as a historic moment, showcasing Sierra Leone’s natural resource potential and its commitment to international mining standards.
“Our natural resources are not burdens, but sacred gifts from God,” he declared. “When managed responsibly, these gifts become the bedrock of prosperity for our people.”
He assured the ADPA Secretariat and participating member states of Sierra Leone’s continued commitment to the Association’s objectives and to building lasting regional and international partnerships that benefit the continent’s people and economies.
Julius Daniel Mattai, Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive mining practices.
He emphasized that the Sierra Leone Mining Week is more than a symbolic event but a platform to exchange ideas and explore partnerships for transforming the country’s mineral wealth into a sustainable source of growth.
“Sierra Leone refuses to be defined by its past. We are using our mineral sector to create jobs, attract investment and bring development to our people,” he stated. “But this must be done with responsibility. Sustainable mining is the only path forward.”
The Minister acknowledged the country’s vast mineral potential, noting both the well-known resources such as diamonds, gold, rutile and bauxite, as well as untapped or lesser-known minerals including lithium, nickel, graphite and chromite. He encouraged investors and exploration companies to join Sierra Leone in discovering and responsibly harnessing those resources.
He also cautioned against illegal mining practices, warning community members not to exploit information from the exhibition for unauthorized digging. “We have shown you what exists underground not to invite illegal mining, but to call for responsible partnerships and community-focused development,” he said.
Julius Daniel Mattai further addressed the double-edged nature of mining. While the industry can generate revenue, employment and development, if poorly managed, it can also devastate ecosystems, displace communities and deepen inequalities.
“To avoid this fate, we must enforce robust regulations, adopt advanced technologies to minimize environmental impact and ensure mining revenues are transparently invested in education, healthcare, infrastructure and local development,” he added.
He emphasized the need for community engagement and equitable revenue-sharing to ensure that people living in mining areas benefit directly from the country’s mineral wealth.
“Our message is clear: Sierra Leone’s natural resources are a blessing, not a curse but only if we manage them wisely. If we fail to act responsibly today, future generations will inherit barren lands instead of prosperity,” the Minister concluded.
Alhaji Ing. Hadji Dabo, Director General of the National Minerals Agency (NMA), described the gathering as a “pivotal moment” for Sierra Leone and the wider diamond-producing community. He emphasized that the convergence of policymakers, industry leaders and development partners provides a unique platform to foster dialogue, collaboration and shared aspirations for sustainable growth in the mining sector.
“This week’s events are not just ceremonial,” Alhaji Ing. Hadji Dabo stressed. “They are strategic platforms that enhance Sierra Leone’s credibility on the global stage. They demonstrate our commitment to transparency, innovation and inclusive development.”
The NMA Director General said Sierra Leone’s rich endowment of mineral resources presents vast opportunities for economic transformation. He noted that events like the Mining Week allow the country to showcase its mineral wealth, highlight its commitment to sustainable practices and attract global investment.
He also announced the launch of the Sierra Leone Chamber of Mines as a key outcome of the week’s engagements, a new platform designed to foster public-private partnerships and enhance governance in the mining sector.
Alhaji Ing. Hadji Dabo concluded his remarks by urging all participants from Government officials to business executives and technical experts to harness the energy of the event to shape transformative pathways for inclusive growth and shared prosperity across all ADPA member states.
“I am confident that this will be a week of celebration, innovation and enduring partnerships,” he said. “Let us chart a prosperous and sustainable future for Sierra Leone and the continent’s mineral sector.”
The 10th African Diamond Producers’ Association (ADPA) Council of Ministers meeting, held alongside Sierra Leone’s Mining Week 2025, brought together representatives from diamond-producing countries across Africa including Guinea, Liberia, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and others along with strategic partners like India and Russia.
