Napoleon Koroma Pushes Local Processing and Job Creation at Africa Oil Week

Minister-designate of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Umaru Napoleon Koroma, has called on African countries to stop exporting raw natural resources and instead prioritise local processing, value addition and job creation.

Speaking during discussions on “Investing in Africa’s Natural Resources” at Africa Oil Week (AOW), Koroma stressed that Africa must ensure its vast mineral wealth translates into jobs, income and economic opportunities for its people, particularly as critical minerals become increasingly important to the global energy transition.

He said Sierra Leone has consistently advocated for the beneficiation and value addition of its mineral resources before export, while calling for stronger partnerships, policy harmonisation and collaboration across Africa’s natural-resource value chains.

Koroma also assured investors that Sierra Leone remains a stable democracy committed to protecting investments, honouring agreements and creating an enabling business environment.

As he prepares to assume his new role, he said his focus will include creating jobs, protecting workers and supporting retirees, reinforcing his call for natural resources to deliver greater benefits to Sierra Leoneans and Africans.

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