By: Saidu Jalloh
Sierra Leone has secured a significant boost for its diamond sector following the signing of a USD 25 million financing facility between Ecobank and Meya Mining Company on the opening day of the Investing in Africa Mining Indaba, currently underway in Cape Town, South Africa.
The agreement was witnessed by Sierra Leone’s official delegation, led by the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai, who used the global mining forum to position the country as a prime destination for responsible, value-driven mining investment. The delegation includes senior officials from the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources, Members of Parliament, representatives of the National Minerals Agency, and executives from leading mining companies.
Speaking during high-level engagements with diamond-producing governments and global stakeholders across the diamond value chain, Minister Mattai reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to sustainable growth in the natural diamond industry, with particular emphasis on the Luanda Accord. He stressed that the Government is focused on ensuring that mining investments deliver tangible socio-economic benefits to citizens across the country.
“We are committed to working collaboratively with our partners to deepen global understanding of natural diamonds and reignite consumer confidence in their value,” Minister Mattai said.
The signing of the USD 25 million Ecobank-Meya facility marked the highlight of Sierra Leone’s participation on the Indaba’s opening day. Minister Mattai described the agreement as “a landmark step in transforming Sierra Leone’s mineral wealth into broad-based and lasting prosperity.”
He explained that the facility will enable Meya Mining to transition from early development to full commercial production, creating over 400 direct jobs and thousands of indirect employment opportunities, with more than 90 percent expected to benefit Sierra Leoneans.
In his keynote address, the Minister commended Ecobank for its strategic decision to route project-related payments through Sierra Leonean financial institutions, noting that this approach will strengthen local supply chains, deepen financial inclusion, and retain more mining value within the national economy. He also acknowledged Meya Mining’s long-term confidence in the Kono diamond belt, citing the company’s investment of over USD 100 million in exploration and mine development to date.
“Every job at Meya supports a family, and every family strengthened builds stronger communities, improves school enrolment, enhances health outcomes, and restores dignity to our people,” Minister Mattai stated.
The Meya Mine, which spans approximately 120 square kilometres in Kono District, is expected to become a model for responsible and traceable diamond production, contributing significantly to export earnings and macroeconomic stability.
Minister Mattai also paid tribute to President Julius Maada Bio’s leadership, highlighting reforms that have strengthened transparency, reinforced compliance with international standards such as the Kimberley Process, and promoted local value addition within the mining sector.
“Our diamonds will no longer be associated with conflict or opacity, but with peace, traceability, innovation, and shared prosperity,” he declared.
Echoing these sentiments, Meya Mining CEO, Jan Joubert, expressed optimism about the resurgence of Sierra Leone’s diamond industry and praised the Government for creating an enabling environment for private-sector growth. Meanwhile, Ecobank’s Chief Executive Officer described the facility as a milestone investment, reaffirming the bank’s commitment to supporting sustainable, private-sector-led development in Sierra Leone and across Africa.
Minister Mattai concluded with a message of unity and hope, noting that the partnership signals the beginning of a renewed chapter for the sector.
“May this signing mark a new chapter one in which Sierra Leone’s diamonds shine not only in global markets, but in the everyday lives of our people,” he said.
As the Mining Indaba continues, the Minister is scheduled to hold further high-level meetings with institutions including the World Bank, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), and the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), aimed at unlocking additional investment for Sierra Leone’s mining sector.