Government Strengthens Arbitration Capacity to Support Investment in Mining and Power Sectors
Foreign Service Academy, Tower Hill, Freetown – Wednesday, 25 February 2026 — The Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, in collaboration with the Arbitration Steering Committee and Hogan Lovells London, has conducted a capacity-building training on international arbitration in the mining and power sectors.
Held at the Foreign Service Academy Hall under the theme “Justice for Growth: Strengthening Dispute Resolution Framework for Sustainable Investment,”* the training brought together State Counsel and government officials and private sectors to enhance their expertise in managing complex arbitration matters and safeguarding the State’s interests.
Deputy Minister of Justice and Chairperson, Madam Elizabeth Saptieu Saccoh, stated that Sierra Leone has entered a new era of international arbitration supported by modern legislation aligned with global standards. She emphasized that consistent and effective application of arbitration laws is essential to building investor confidence and supporting economic growth.
Madam Saccoh explained that the training is designed to strengthen the capacity of State Counsel and public officials handling arbitration matters. She urged participants to seek clarity on the Arbitration Act 2022, approach arbitration with a broader understanding of investment and development, and promote consistency in legal advice across government institutions.
She noted that a reliable arbitration framework would help Sierra Leone attract and retain long-term investment.
Delivering the keynote address, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay Esq. reaffirmed Government’s commitment to building a modern and credible international dispute resolution framework. He acknowledged the contributions of key stakeholders, including Umaru Napoleon Koroma, to the arbitration reform process.
The Attorney General highlighted Sierra Leone’s accession to the New York Convention in 2020 and the enactment of the Arbitration Act 2022 as major milestones in aligning the country’s arbitration regime with internationally recognized standards.
He explained that the Act not only modernizes arbitration law but also provides for the establishment of the Sierra Leone International Arbitration Centre under Section 82 to promote and administer arbitration and alternative dispute resolution.
He described the operationalization of the Centre as a deliberate policy priority aimed at strengthening investor confidence, enhancing legal capacity, and positioning Sierra Leone as a credible destination for dispute resolution.
Attorney General Sesay called for continued collaboration with international partners and formally welcomed participants to what he described as the inaugural training conference on international arbitration.
Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Umaru Napoleon Koroma Esq., emphasized that arbitration and alternative dispute resolution are critical to ensuring legal certainty and investor confidence in Sierra Leone’s mining sector.
He noted that the Arbitration Act 2022 modernizes the country’s legal framework, aligns it with international standards, and establishes mechanisms for neutral and efficient resolution of disputes.
Minister Umaru Koroma explained that mining investments are long-term and capital-intensive, requiring regulatory stability, fiscal clarity, and credible dispute resolution mechanisms to protect both investor and State interests.
He stressed that early and neutral resolution of disputes helps prevent project delays, protects economic value, and strengthens trust between governments and investors.
He concluded that effective dispute resolution is not only about resolving conflicts but also about enabling sustainable investment, promoting good governance, and driving national economic development.
