Sierra Leone has taken centre stage at the 2026 Investing in Africa Mining Indaba in Cape Town, with the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai, leading a high-level delegation to engage global investors and industry stakeholders on opportunities in the country’s mining sector.
The four-day Indaba, running from February 9 to 12, brings together mining governments, financiers and operators from across the world. Sierra Leone’s delegation includes officials from the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources, Members of Parliament, representatives of the National Minerals Agency, and executives from mining companies operating in the country.
Addressing stakeholders on the opening day, Minister Mattai reaffirmed the government’s commitment to responsible, transparent and value-driven mining, with a particular focus on the natural diamond industry. He held bilateral discussions with diamond-producing countries and key players along the global diamond value chain, centred on the Luanda Accord and efforts to stimulate consumer confidence in natural diamonds.

“We are committed to working collaboratively with our partners to deepen global understanding and promote sustainable growth in the natural diamond industry,” the Minister said.
A major highlight of Sierra Leone’s participation at the Indaba was the signing of a US$25 million financing facility between Ecobank and Meya Mining Company. Minister Mattai described the agreement as a significant milestone in efforts to transform the country’s mineral wealth into inclusive economic growth.
The facility is expected to support Meya Mining’s transition from early development into full commercial production in the Kono District, generating over 400 direct jobs and thousands of indirect employment opportunities, with more than 90 percent earmarked for Sierra Leoneans.

Minister Mattai commended Ecobank for its decision to channel payments through Sierra Leonean banking institutions, noting that the move would strengthen local supply chains, deepen the financial sector and ensure greater retention of mining-related revenues within the country. He also acknowledged Meya Mining’s investment of more than US$100 million to date in exploration, resource definition and mine development in the Kono diamond belt.
Highlighting the broader socio-economic impact of mining, the Minister said employment created by the sector contributes directly to improved livelihoods, education and health outcomes in mining communities.
The Minister further praised President Julius Maada Bio’s leadership and reforms in the mining sector, citing strengthened transparency, enforcement of international standards such as the Kimberley Process, and policies aimed at promoting local value addition.
“We are determined that Sierra Leone’s diamonds will be associated with peace, traceability and shared prosperity,” he stated.
Meya Mining Chief Executive Officer, Jan Joubert, expressed optimism about the future of Sierra Leone’s diamond industry, commending the government for creating an enabling environment for private sector investment. Ecobank’s Chief Executive Officer also described the financing agreement as a milestone, underscoring the bank’s commitment to supporting private sector-led growth in Sierra Leone and across Africa.
As the Mining Indaba continues, Minister Mattai is expected to hold further high-level meetings with international partners, including the World Bank, Africa Finance Corporation and the US International Development Finance Corporation, as part of ongoing efforts to attract additional investment into Sierra Leone’s mining sector.