By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio lit up the Bintumani conference centre on Thursday, April 10, 2025, launching the 10th ordinary Session of the African diamond producer’s association (ADPA) and Sierra Leone Mining Week 2025. Hosting this landmark event for the first time, Sierra Leone’s staking its claim as a heavyweight in Africa’s mineral game, pushing transparency and growth.
Sierra Leone’s proud to lead this charge, Bio declared, his keynote pulsing with resolve, these diamonds aren’t just rocks they’re our heritage, our hope, he urged ADPA nations to flip the script on the industry’s dark past, turning conflict stones into engines of sustainable wealth
Bio didn’t mince words Africa must stop shipping raw gems and start cutting, polishing, and crafting jewelry at home, that’s how we spark jobs, transform economies, he said, spotlighting Sierra Leone’s 2022 Mines and Minerals Act a rulebook tightening governance, empowering communities, and curbing leaks. He called for tighter laws and tech swaps among members to lock in accountability.
The launch kicked off ADPA’s Council of Ministers and Experts meetings, drawing diamond bosses from across the continent. Alhaji (Ing.) Hadji Dabo, Sierra Leone Minerals Agency chief, set the tone this isn’t just a summit it’s a springboard for investment and unity. He hailed Bio’s reforms as proof Sierra Leone’s ready to shape mining’s future.
Zimbabwe’s Hon. Winston Chitando, outgoing ADPA President, passed the baton with praise, Sierra Leone’s hospitality and hustle show Africa’s diamond trade is ours to command he said. Incoming ADPA President, Sierra Leone’s Mines Minister Hon. Julius Daniel Mattai, doubled down Since 2018, we’ve retooled mining to serve our people not just profits.
Mining week’s no talkfest it’s a dealmaker, delegates from Africa and beyond will haggle over partnerships, innovations, and policies to make diamonds deliver for locals, not just tycoons. Bio’s vision wealth that sticks, jobs that last puts Sierra Leone front and center, proving a nation once scarred by blood diamonds can now shine legit.
As Freetown hums with big ideas, this week could redraw Africa’s mineral map one gem, one handshake at a time.