Freetown – Minister of Information and Civic Education Chernor Bah has made it clear that Sierra Leoneans must be the main winners as the United States steps up interest in the country’s critical minerals and other investment opportunities.
Speaking on the growing American push, Bah acknowledged that Washington wants U.S. companies to be at the front of the line for deals, especially in critical minerals.
“They want to be at the front of the queue when it comes to critical minerals, and that is something we are negotiating,” he said.
He stressed that Sierra Leone should welcome competition from different international investors but must carefully manage it to secure the strongest possible outcomes for the nation.
“It is our responsibility to make sure that we benefit from that competition. Americans are capitalists. It’s a competition. What we want to do is to get the best deal for the people of this country.”
Bah emphasised that the government must negotiate from a position that prioritises national interests, ensuring foreign investment delivers real, tangible benefits, jobs, skills, infrastructure, and revenue, for ordinary Sierra Leoneans rather than just raw exports.
On concerns about U.S.–China rivalry, the Minister played down the geopolitical noise.
“One of China’s biggest trading partners is the United States. So forget about what you hear at the Senate hearing, the red meat that is thrown.”
His comments come as the United States intensifies its search for secure supplies of critical minerals needed for electric vehicles, renewable energy, batteries, and defence technologies, seeking stronger commercial ties with Sierra Leone in mining, energy, and infrastructure.
Sierra Leone is well-placed in this global race. The country holds significant deposits of rutile (among the world’s highest-quality natural sources of titanium), iron ore, bauxite, diamonds, gold, and emerging critical minerals such as lithium (spodumene), graphite, coltan, rare earth elements, and others. The government launched its National Strategy for Critical Minerals 2026–2031 earlier this year, aiming to attract major investment, develop local processing plants, create tens of thousands of jobs, train skilled workers, and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue by focusing on value addition rather than just exporting unprocessed ore.
Existing players already include companies with American and other international links, such as operations at Marampa Mines, alongside Chinese involvement in iron ore projects. U.S. engagement has also included broader support in infrastructure, energy, and development finance.
Bah’s message is straightforward for Sierra Leoneans: the country should take advantage of the competition between major powers, but only on terms that put the people first.
