By Elizabeth Kamara
Bintumani Conference Centre, Freetown – Thursday, April 10, 2025 — President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has officially launched the 10th Ordinary Session of the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) Mining Week in Freetown, marking the first time Sierra Leone has hosted the prestigious continental gathering. The event brings together key stakeholders in Africa’s diamond industry for dialogue, collaboration, and strategic planning.
In his keynote address at the Bintumani Conference Centre, President Bio described the occasion as a defining moment for Sierra Leone’s mining industry and a reflection of the country’s rising profile in Africa’s mineral development landscape.
“Sierra Leone is proud to host this important event. Our diamonds are not just resources—they are the jewels of our heritage,” the President stated. He called for enhanced cooperation among ADPA member states, greater legal harmonization, and increased technical assistance to ensure the sector becomes a pillar of sustainable development.
Highlighting Sierra Leone’s reforms in the mining sector, President Bio pointed to the Mines and Minerals Development Act of 2022 as a landmark achievement. “We have modernized our legal framework, improved oversight, and prioritized community engagement,” he noted.
He urged African nations to move beyond exporting raw diamonds and focus on local value addition through cutting, polishing, and jewelry manufacturing. “This is how we generate jobs, grow our industrial base, and maximize revenue for our countries,” he emphasized.
President Bio also reiterated Sierra Leone’s commitment to transparency and international standards in mineral governance, urging fellow African leaders to embrace reforms that would build investor confidence and ensure diamonds contribute meaningfully to peace and prosperity.
The event also marked the official opening of Sierra Leone Mining Week 2025 and the 10th Ordinary Meeting of the ADPA Council of Ministers and Committee of Experts.
Director General of the Sierra Leone Minerals Agency, Alhaji (Ing.) Hadji Dabo, hailed the event as a testament to President Bio’s leadership in promoting sustainable mining. “This gathering provides an opportunity to position Sierra Leone as a key player in Africa’s mining future,” he said.
Outgoing ADPA President and Zimbabwean Minister of Mines, Hon. Winston Chitando, expressed gratitude to Sierra Leone for hosting the forum. “This is a reflection of our shared goal to elevate Africa in the global diamond industry,” he said.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Hon. Julius Mattai, officially took over as President of ADPA. He praised the reforms implemented under President Bio’s administration and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to ensuring that the mineral wealth benefits all citizens.
“The Mining Week is more than a meeting—it’s a platform to advance sustainability, foster partnerships, and chart a responsible future for Africa’s mining sector,” Minister Mattai concluded.
The conference continues throughout the week with high-level panel discussions, exhibitions, and technical sessions aimed at shaping the future of diamond production and governance on the continent.
