Draft:Mineral Wealth Fund

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Overview of the Mineral Wealth Fund (MWF)

The Mineral Wealth Fund (MWF) is Sierra Leone’s first sovereign wealth fund, designed to manage and allocate revenues generated from the country's extensive mineral resources. Established to promote sustainable and equitable development across various sectors, the MWF plays a crucial role in Sierra Leone’s economic strategy. It aims to ensure that mineral revenues contribute directly to national growth, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, health, education, and other essential services <ref>{[2][4][6]<ref>.

Objectives and Purpose

The primary objective of the MWF is to transform Sierra Leone's mineral wealth into long-term assets that support national development. This involves investing in critical sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social services to improve the overall standard of living for Sierra Leoneans. Additionally, the MWF seeks to reduce the nation's dependency on external aid by establishing a financial reserve that can be utilised during economic downturns or national emergencies <ref>[4][1]<ref>. The fund also supports the government’s broader goal of economic diversification, directing revenues into sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism to create a more resilient and diversified economy <ref>[2][6]<ref>

Management and Implementation

The MWF is managed by a team of high-ranking government officials, including the Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, the Minister of Environment, and the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources. The fund’s leadership, which includes interim CEO Igor Silberud, has faced scrutiny regarding transparency and qualifications <ref>[1][3][7]<ref>. Despite these concerns, the MWF has established connections with global sovereign wealth funds to attract international investments and bolster Sierra Leone's economic growth <ref>[2][7]<ref>.

Presidential Support and Vision

President Julius Maada Bio has been a vocal supporter of the MWF, emphasising its importance in ensuring that the profits from Sierra Leone's mineral resources benefit the nation. He views the fund as a critical component of his administration’s commitment to sustainable resource management and economic prosperity. The President has articulated that the MWF is designed to create a stable financial base for the country, reducing dependency on volatile global markets and securing economic benefits for future generations <ref>[4][7]<ref>. President Bio has also gotten the IMF (International Monetary Fund) to agree to support them with a new Extended Credit Facility Programme and potential access to the Resilience and Sustainability Facility <ref>[8]<ref>.

Challenges and Public Response

While the MWF has been widely regarded as a positive development, it has also faced criticism, particularly concerning transparency and public involvement. Civil society organisations have expressed concerns that the fund's management lacks sufficient public oversight and engagement. These groups have called for greater transparency and public consultation to ensure that the fund’s operations align with the broader interests of the population <ref>[5][6]<ref>. The debate over the qualifications of the fund’s leadership also persists, with some stakeholders questioning the selection process <ref>[1][7]<ref>

References

1. Awoko Newspaper (2024) ‘Sierra Leone Set to Gain from Landmark Mineral Wealth Fund – Finance Minister.’ Available at: [1](https://awokonewspaper.sl/sierra-leone-set-to-gain-from-landmark-mineral-wealth-fund-finance-minister/) (Accessed: 26 August 2024).

2. OWLPress (2024) ‘Mineral Wealth Fund: New Hope for Sierra Leone.’ Available at: [2](https://owlpress-sl.com/mineral-wealth-fund-presents-new-hope-for-sierra-leone/) (Accessed: 20 August 2024).

3. Politico SL (2024) ‘New Mining Law to Boost Sierra Leone Economy.’ Available at: [3](https://www.politicosl.com/articles/new-mining-law-boost-sierra-leone-economy) (Accessed: 20 August 2024).

4. SL Concord Times (2024) ‘Mineral Wealth Fund Presents New Hope for Sierra Leone.’ Available at: [4](https://slconcordtimes.com/mineral-wealth-fund-presents-new-hope-for-sierra-leone/) (Accessed: 27 August 2024).

5. The OWL Newspaper (2024) ‘Mineral Wealth Fund: New Hope for Sierra Leone.’ OWLPress, 24 July. Available at: [5](https://owlpress-sl.com/mineral-wealth-fund-presents-new-hope-for-sierra-leone/) (Accessed: 20 August 2024).

6. The Satellite News (2024) ‘As Detractors Undermine Mineral Wealth Fund, State Participation is Key to Our Mining Sector – Finance Minister Asserts.’ Available at: [6](http://www.thesatellitenews.com/index.php/en/other-news/1407-as-detractors-undermine-mineral-wealth-fund-state-participation-is-key-to-our-mining-sector-finance-minister-ascertain) (Accessed: 22 August 2024).

7. The Watch News (2024) ‘Civil Society Calls on the Government of Sierra Leone to Put on Hold the Implementation of the Management Service Agreement Over the Country's Minerals Wealth Fund.’ Available at: [7](https://www.thewatchnewssl.com/civil-society-calls-on-the-government-of-sierra-leone-to-put-on-hold-the-implementation-of-the-management-service-agreement-over-the-countrys-minerals-wealth-fund/) (Accessed: 27 August 2024).

8. X / Twitter post from President Julius Maada Bio (2024) Available at: https://x.com/PresidentBio/status/1837147904332427432 (Accessed: 03 October 2024).