By Josephine Sesay
Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Napoleon Koroma, has joined leading international arbitration experts at the prestigious Herbert Smith Freehills law firm in London to engage with participants of the Africa Arbitration Academy on International Commercial Arbitration Practice.
The programme, which brought together 30 legal practitioners from 25 African countries, including government and private-sector counsels, provided a platform for in-depth discussions on international arbitration, investment protection, and dispute resolution across the continent.
During the session, Sierra Leone’s mining sector featured prominently in discussions on investment promotion, investor confidence, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations, and the various sources of mining-related disputes. Participants also examined the significant reforms undertaken by the Government of Sierra Leone to strengthen the country’s investment climate and enhance safeguards for investors.
Koroma highlighted the government’s commitment to fostering a transparent and predictable investment environment, noting that ongoing reforms in the mining sector are aimed at attracting responsible investment while ensuring sustainable development and accountability.
The discussions offered participants practical insights and real-world experiences in handling commercial arbitration matters, particularly within the extractive industries sector, which remains a key driver of economic growth across many African nations.
As part of his engagements in the United Kingdom, the Deputy Minister is expected to participate in a town hall meeting alongside Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh and attend the upcoming Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference. The conference is expected to serve as an important platform for promoting investment opportunities in Sierra Leone’s mining sector and other key areas of the economy.
Koroma commended the leadership of the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai, for driving reforms and advancing the transformation of the country’s mining industry. He also expressed gratitude to President Julius Maada Bio and the people of Sierra Leone for the opportunity to serve and contribute to national development.
The engagement reflects Sierra Leone’s continued efforts to strengthen international partnerships, improve investor confidence, and position the country as an attractive destination for sustainable investment.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 22nd June 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
