By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabba, is leading the country’s delegation to the inaugural United States Critical Minerals Ministerial Summit scheduled for February 4, 2026, in Washington, D.C. The high-level engagement underscores Sierra Leone’s growing role in global discussions on strategic mineral supply chains and international economic security.

The delegation includes the Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, reflecting a coordinated approach between Sierra Leone’s foreign policy and extractive-sector leadership. The team arrived in Washington on Monday, February 2, following an official invitation from the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who is hosting the ministerial at the U.S. Department of State.

The Critical Minerals Ministerial brings together Government leaders from mineral-rich and industrialized countries to address the growing global demand for strategic resources essential to advanced technologies, clean energy transitions and national defense systems. Central to the discussions are minerals such as cobalt, lithium, copper, uranium and rare earth elements; resources that are increasingly vital to electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure, semiconductors and defense manufacturing.

According to briefing materials, the conference aims to secure, diversify and strengthen global supply chains for critical minerals, with a particular focus on reducing over-dependence on China-dominated processing and distribution networks. The United States is expected to advocate for new bilateral and multilateral frameworks that promote transparent mining practices, responsible investment and long-term supply security.

African participation forms a key pillar of the ministerial. Several mineral-rich African countries, including Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have confirmed attendance, highlighting Washington’s push to deepen strategic partnerships across the continent. Sierra Leone’s presence places it within a select group of countries being courted as potential long-term suppliers in the evolving global minerals market.

For Sierra Leone, the summit presents an opportunity to showcase its mineral potential while advancing national interests related to value addition, investment diversification and sustainable resource governance. Officials familiar with the delegation’s agenda say discussions will emphasize mutually beneficial cooperation, respect for national sovereignty over mineral resources and the need for investments that support local development and job creation.

The ministerial is also unfolding within a broader geopolitical context shaped by the United States’ renewed emphasis on securing critical supply chains under an “America First” economic strategy. Negotiations are expected to focus on access arrangements, processing partnerships and technology transfer, particularly in Africa, where vast untapped mineral reserves are increasingly central to global competition.

Alongside the ministerial, Secretary of State, Marco Rubio and senior U.S. State Department officials are holding a series of diplomatic engagements and strategic dialogues in Washington during the week, underscoring the high-level nature of the event. While the official U.S. public schedule remains subject to change, the summit itself is widely viewed as a milestone in redefining global cooperation on critical minerals.

Sierra Leone’s participation signals its intent to position itself as a credible and responsible partner in the global critical minerals value chain, while leveraging international platforms to advance sustainable economic growth and strategic diplomacy. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/foreign-affairs-minister-leads-sierra-leone-delegation-to-u-s-critical-minerals-ministerial-summit-starting-today/