On 28 October 2025, the planetGOLD Sierra Leone Project brought together representatives from commercial banks, community banks, microfinance institutions, government ministries and regulatory agencies with a stake in ASGM, and the private sector, for a workshop at the Atlantic Lumley Hotel in Freetown. The workshop aimed to strengthen the capacity of financial institutions in Sierra Leone to support the formalization and sustainable development of the Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector through increased access to finance. The specific objectives were to: Inform financial service providers and investors about opportunities in the ASGM sector while minimizing financial risks. Enhance the capacity of financial institutions to support responsible supply chains and unlock capital for environmentally and socially responsible ASGM operations. ► Initiate the development of accessible, fair, and affordable financial products and services for ASGM communities, with a focus on women and underserved groups.
planetGOLD Authors: