The GO-FOR-GOLD Model: Did Sierra Leone Just Bypass the Entire CBI Industry?

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While the Caribbean fights OECD pressure and Europe tightens citizenship rules, one of the world’s most overlooked jurisdictions has quietly designed something the market has never seen before.

IMI Daily featured a great segment on Sierra Leone’s GO-FOR-GOLD initiative.

 

Watch it here:

 

A Different Approach to Citizenship

Stephen Barnes, the program architect behind Sierra Leone’s GO-FOR-GOLD initiative, has committed to naturalising 4,000 families over the next 5 years using an instrument that’s been hiding in plain sight: Presidential prerogative under Section 27A of the Citizenship Act.

This non-CRS, Commonwealth jurisdiction with British colonial institutions is proving what many thought impossible: that you can attract Foreign Direct Investment without triggering the compliance landmines that have plagued traditional CBI programs.

Why Sierra Leone’s Model Is Different

The GO-FOR-GOLD program didn’t emerge from typical citizenship-by-investment legislation. Instead, it leverages existing constitutional powers combined with innovative safeguards:

✓ Gold-Backed Security: Physical gold held in Central Bank reserves backs the Permanent Residency pathway, providing tangible asset protection rarely seen in citizenship programs.

✓ Presidential Authority: Section 27A of the Citizenship Act grants discretionary naturalisation powers, bypassing the legislative vulnerabilities that expose traditional CBI programs to political pressure.

✓ Phased Approach: The program deliberately launched with PR before unveiling Fast-Track Citizenship, allowing infrastructure development and credibility building.

✓ Legislative Immunity: Without dedicated CBI legislation, the program avoids the compliance frameworks that make Caribbean programs vulnerable to international pressure.

The Strategic Advantage

Sierra Leone offers something rare in today’s citizenship landscape:

  • 90-day Fast-Track Citizenship processing via Special Naturalisation
  • 40-day Permanent Residency approval with gold backing
  • ECOWAS membership provides rights across 12 West African states
  • Visa-free access to 76+ countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia
  • Three-generation coverage with business partner inclusion
  • English common law system with 20 years of post-conflict stability
  • No CRS reporting as a non-participating jurisdiction

Beyond Traditional CBI

What makes GO-FOR-GOLD fundamentally different is its partnership model. This isn’t a transactional citizenship program – it’s designed around genuine economic development and long-term integration.

The program includes:

  • Company incorporation in Sierra Leone
  • Corporate bank account setup
  • Direct government access through official delegations
  • AI-powered digital platform eliminating traditional paperwork bottlenecks
  • Escrow protection with 100% refund guarantees (minus incurred fees)

The Africa Question

Have investors dismissed Africa? Stephen Barnes says so—and the GO-FOR-GOLD program is designed to change that perception.

With over 30 Official Partners already onboarded and multiple families securing Fast-Track Citizenship, Sierra Leone is demonstrating that transparent governance, constitutional stability, and innovative program design can position an African jurisdiction as a serious alternative to saturated Caribbean and European options.

What This Means for the Industry

As OECD pressure mounts on traditional CBI jurisdictions and compliance costs escalate, Sierra Leone’s model offers a glimpse of what next-generation citizenship programs might look like:

→ Constitutional authority instead of vulnerable legislation
→ Tangible asset backing instead of pure contribution models
→ Technology-driven processing instead of paper-based bureaucracy
→ Partnership integration instead of transactional relationships

 

For detailed program information and eligibility requirements, consult with Official Partners or visit the program website.

 

— With appreciation from the GO-FOR-GOLD Club Team

Insights and perspectives from leaders shaping Sierra Leone’s investment future.

INTERVIEW: How to Design a Residency by Investment Program Entirely from Scratch

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INTERVIEW

How to Design a Residency by Investment Program from Scratch: The Case of Sierra Leone

Jason Black (JB) the press representative of Hong Kong Visa Centre, interviews Stephen Barnes, a leading figure in the immigration sector in the HKSAR with over three decades of experience. Known as the “Hong Kong Visa Geeza,” Barnes shares his insights into the innovative GO-FOR-GOLD Residency and Citizenship by Investment Program, which he helped develop for Sierra Leone. This in-depth discussion explores the program’s inception, structure, and transformative potential for Sierra Leone’s economy and global appeal.

Read more

GO-FOR-GOLD Exists To Support Artisanal Mining & Retain Sovereign Wealth

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The Gold Production Process in Sierra Leone

GO-FOR-GOLD Benefits The Whole Nation

Introduction

Sierra Leone is renowned for its rich mineral resources, particularly gold. However, beyond its natural abundance, what sets Sierra Leone apart is its evolving commitment to transparency, security, and ethical mining practices. This process, from the ground to global markets, involves numerous steps designed to ensure purity, legal compliance, and international trust.

Mining Process

The gold journey begins with exploration. Geologists and mining companies work tirelessly to identify potential gold deposits using sophisticated methods like aerial surveys and geological mapping. Once a promising site is located, more detailed drilling and sampling determine the quality and quantity of the gold present.

Sierra Leone predominantly relies on two types of mining: Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM), where local miners use basic tools to extract gold from riverbeds and alluvial deposits, and Industrial Mining, employed by larger corporations that use heavy machinery to extract gold from deeper rock formations.

After extraction, the separation process begins. Using gravity separation techniques, miners isolate the heavier gold particles from lighter waste materials. Sometimes, chemical methods like cyanide leaching may be applied, although such techniques face scrutiny for their environmental impacts.

Government Assay & Certification

Once the gold is extracted and processed, it undergoes further purification. The initial refinement or smelting heats the gold ore at high temperatures, resulting in doré bars, which are a mix of gold and silver. To meet international standards, these bars are further refined, often achieving 99.5% to 99.99% purity through electrolysis.

But the process doesn’t end there. Before entering international markets, every batch of gold must undergo an official assay. Accredited laboratories like the Precious Minerals Trading Unit (PMTU) carry out these tests, certifying the exact purity of the refined gold. This certification ensures buyers know exactly what they’re purchasing, boosting trust in Sierra Leonean gold.

Security of Handling & Storage

The refined gold is then securely stored, and this is where Sierra Leone’s commitment to security shines. The Central Bank of Sierra Leone offers state-of-the-art vault facilities that meet the highest security standards. These secure vaults, located near the Presidential compound, are guarded by the Sierra Leonean military, adding an extra layer of protection to ensure the gold is handled with utmost care.

Strict security protocols include surveillance, armored transportation, and comprehensive insurance, making sure that no unauthorized individuals can access these valuable reserves. Additionally, the government ensures ownership is documented for traceability, so investors can be confident that the gold is both legitimate and secure.

Cost to Export & Market Acceptance

When it’s time to export, Sierra Leone has streamlined the process to make its gold highly competitive on the international stage. A fixed 1% export fee is required, and once all necessary paperwork is completed—such as proof of assay, export permits, and payment of duties—the gold is ready for sale on international exchanges.

Sierra Leonean gold, particularly when it meets the London Bullion Market Association standards, is highly sought after on exchanges like the London Gold Market, New York Mercantile Exchange, and the Shanghai Gold Exchange. Whether in the form of bullion or through financial products like Exchange-Traded Funds, the country’s gold finds its place in the portfolios of investors across the globe.

Thanks to its growing reputation for purity, ethical sourcing, and adherence to international standards, Sierra Leonean gold is widely accepted and priced competitively in global markets. Buyers, from individual investors to large corporations, are assured that the gold they purchase has been responsibly sourced, legally certified, and securely stored.

Last Words

From the initial exploration in Sierra Leone’s rich soils to the secure vaults guarded by military forces, every step in the gold production process is designed with transparency, security, and ethics in mind. By focusing on government certification, secure storage, and international compliance, Sierra Leone has positioned itself as a trusted source of high-quality gold on the global stage.

For investors seeking both value and ethical assurance, Sierra Leonean gold represents a reliable and secure choice in today’s competitive market.

Why GO-FOR-GOLD Is THE GOLD STANDARD Global Permanent Residency

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7 Steps To Lifetime Permanent Residency

Why Sierra Leone is Right on Top of its Game in 2025

 

In a world filled with uncertainty—be it global conflict, environmental disaster, or economic collapse—finding a secure, stable refuge becomes paramount.

Sierra Leone, a country rich in natural resources, vast agricultural potential, and abundant minerals, is positioning itself as an ideal haven for those seeking stability in times of crisis. With its GO-FOR-GOLD Permanent Residency (PR) program, the country offers a unique opportunity for foreign nationals to invest in physical gold, which is stored securely in government reserves, while also becoming part of an optimistic future for this rising, safe-haven African nation.

Here’s how to apply for Permanent Residency in Sierra Leone through the GO-FOR-GOLD program in 7 simple steps. Let’s walk through the steps to get you started. The steps that follow apply to single, nuclear and extended family applicants alike:

Step 1 | Gather Your Papers

Begin by gathering the necessary documents. These include a completed and signed application form, a certified true copy of your passport’s details page, two certified passport photographs, and a signed acknowledgment that you’ve received and understood the Data Privacy Statement.

Step 2 | Complete The Certification

Next, ensure that any documents requiring certification—such as your passport copy and photographs—are certified as true. Follow the instructions on true copy certification process carefully to avoid any issues.

Step 3 | Double-Check & Submit

Once you have everything, perform a final double-check to ensure all documents are correct and accounted for. After that, email your completed application form along with the certified documents to [email protected]. Be sure to include a signed “Confirmation of Enclosures.”

Step 4 | Escrow The Fees

After submitting, you will receive a reply within two business days. This will include a request for programme fees, an Escrow Agreement, and the necessary bank details for transferring the funds. Once payment is made, your application will move forward to the next stage.

Step 5 | Undergo Due Diligence

 Upon receiving your fees, the process of due diligence and background checks will begin to ensure compliance with all legal requirements.

Step 6 | Secure Provisional Approval

Within 30 days of receiving your payment, you’ll be granted provisional approval. At this stage, you will need to purchase 1 kilogram of Sierra Leonean gold bullion. A purchase contract and the necessary bank details will be provided for you to complete this step.

Step 7 | Purchase Gold For Final Approval

Once the gold purchase is finalized, with the bullion securely held in government storage for five years, your lifetime permanent residency will be officially confirmed. You will receive all the necessary documentation to prove your new status.

Importantly, If your application is not approved, your programme fees will be fully refunded in accordance with the Escrow Agreement.

In just 40 days or less, you will achieve lifetime permanent residency in Sierra Leone through the GO-FOR-GOLD program.