A historic land lease agreement has been signed between the Tonkolili District’s local community and the Gento Group, led by renowned businessman and philanthropist Mohamed Gento Kamara. The Gento Group will be granted the right to operate and invest in the mineral-rich Kasafoni Land, which is located in Tonkolili District’s northern belt. The agreement was finalized on June 4, 2025. This collaboration is being lauded as a significant step towards community-led development and local investment.
The formal signing occurred at a grand homecoming ceremony for the newly sworn-in Paramount Chief Member of Parliament, Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Kulio Jalloh III, in Bendugu Town, Sambaia Chiefdom. The event drew thousands of locals eager to see their Chief return and welcome Gento Kamara on his first visit to the area.
During his speech, Paramount Chief Alhaji Musa Bamba Jalloh III commended Gento Kamara and his company for their integrity and dedication to empowering the local community. He expressed heartfelt gratitude for the timely surface rent payments made under the lease agreement, which stood in stark contrast to previous experiences with other investors. “When we signed a lease agreement with Kingho Mining, we received nothing. “No jobs, no meaningful community benefits,” he complained. “But with Gento Group, we have already received surface rent, and we believe this collaboration will bring long-term benefits, such as job creation and infrastructure development.”
The Paramount Chief emphasized the overwhelming support of the people of Sambaia Chiefdom and the larger Tonkolili District, confirming Gento Group as the sole rightful investor in the Kasafoni Land. “We are not ready to collaborate with any other investors. We consulted our ancestors, and they approved of Gento Kamara. “He is one of us—a Sierra Leonean who understands and will meet our needs,” he explained.
Hon. Jawa Sesay, who presided over the ceremony, described it as historic, not only because the lease agreement was signed, but also because it brought the region together.”For the first time in history, Tonkolili will be represented in parliament by a Koranko native. And now, our lands are in the hands of someone who truly believes in local ownership—Gento Kamara,” he added.
Hon. Sesay congratulated Gento on his significant contributions to national infrastructure, particularly road construction projects that improved connectivity across the country.”This is what localization is all about: empowering our own to effect long-term change,” he said.
The Gento Group plans to invest responsibly in the Kasafoni Land, which was previously underutilized despite its vast mineral potential. Local communities anticipate not only job opportunities, but also critical infrastructure improvements such as roads, schools, and healthcare facilities as part of the company’s commitment to community development.
This decision to support Gento Kamara is consistent with President Julius Maada Bio’s directive that no mining licenses be issued unless the host communities sign a valid land lease agreement. Tonkolili residents have taken a proactive approach by putting their trust in a fellow Sierra Leonean investor with a track record of keeping promises.
“We saw what happened with Koidu Limited and Kingho Mining—so many promises, so little return,” said another regional chief.“This time, we choose transparency, we choose action, and above all, we choose Gento.”
As the crowd cheered, the atmosphere in Sambaia Chiefdom was one of hope and optimism. The community sees this partnership as the beginning of a new era, one in which local resources are used for local benefit and trust is placed in homegrown solutions rather than foreign speculation. At the heart of this transformative initiative stands Mohamed Gento Kamara, who is now regarded not only as a businessman but also as a brother and community builder, ready to lead Tonkolili District into a prosperous future.
