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Updated: June 2026

Case study · Sierra Leone · Citizenship

How an Investor Entered the Gold Sector and Obtained a Passport Through the GO-FOR-GOLD Program

Sierra Leone's GO-FOR-GOLD program is named that way for a reason: one of its pathways is structured around a real asset - gold investment. For an investor interested in both a passport and a presence in the gold sector, this is a logical entry point. But it's important to be honest: gold investment under the program and mining concession are different things. We explain how we distinguished them and gave our client both the result and the necessary understanding.

Sergey EvdokimovSergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGESReading time9 min readVerificationReviewed by an expert

This case is based on a real matter. The name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

BRIDGES client story - How an Investor Entered the Gold Sector and Obtained a Passport Through the GO-FOR-GOLD Program
Contents

Case at a glance

Situation, solution and outcome in seven lines

Client
Investor with interest in the gold sector, from Lagos
Objective
Passport + presence in the gold sector
Program
Sierra Leone, citizenship through investment (GO-FOR-GOLD program)
Mechanics
GO-FOR-GOLD pathway through gold investment
Honest Boundary
Gold investment ≠ mining concession
Solution
Gold investment under the program + clarity on the sector
Result
Passport obtained, sector entry - separate track

Client story

Client Story

Where they started

The client is an investor interested in Sierra Leone's gold mining sector who simultaneously wanted to obtain second citizenship. The GO-FOR-GOLD program appeared at first glance to combine both interests, and it was important to properly understand what it actually provides.

Why the standard route did not work

The program's mechanics are indeed tied to gold: one of its pathways involves investment in a real asset - purchasing gold (from a set minimum volume), which marks the beginning of the path to citizenship. This is not an abstract contribution but an investment in a physical commodity, which in itself creates a connection between the investor and the country's gold sector.

What BRIDGES had to solve

But it is essential to distinguish two separate things here. Gold investment under the program for citizenship purposes is one thing. Mining concession, that is, the right to develop a deposit, is quite another: it is a separate commercial and regulatory process with its own licenses, requirements, and procedures, which a passport neither grants nor replaces. We explained honestly: the program grants citizenship and a connection to the sector through gold investment, while entry into mining as a business is a separate track conducted independently. Confusing them means building expectations on a false foundation.

Why a standard answer would not do

At BRIDGES, the client came for an honestly outlined picture: obtain Sierra Leone citizenship through gold investment under GO-FOR-GOLD and understand that a presence in the gold sector as a business is a process separate from the passport.

Andrés handled the investment under the gold sector programme and honestly separated what the passport gives from what is a separate business. The passport is granted.

Tunde · InvestorThe name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

What Was at Risk

What Was at Risk

The risk was not in an external barrier but in conflating two things: gold investment for a passport and mining concession as a business. Believing that a passport grants mining rights means building a plan on a false foundation. The key was obtaining citizenship through gold investment and honestly understanding that a concession is a separate track.

That the GO-FOR-GOLD pathway goes through real gold investment;

  1. 01That gold purchase creates a connection between the investor and the sector;
  2. 02That mining concession is a separate commercial and regulatory process;
  3. 03That a passport neither grants nor replaces extraction licenses;
  4. 04That gold investment for a passport and entry into mining cannot be mixed.

The logic of the solution

How the matter progressed: from checks to result

The chart is built from the facts of this matter and shows the logic of the work without decorative or unverified data.

  1. 01
    Stage 1

    Explained the program mechanics. First, we demonstrated that the GO-FOR-GOLD route proceeds through real gold investment, with the purchase of gold being the starting point of the citizenship path—this is an investment in a physical asset, not an abstract contribution.

  2. 02
    Stage 2

    Separated investment and concession. We clearly distinguished: gold investment for a passport is one thing, and mining concession with extraction rights is quite another. This protected the client from confusion.

  3. 03
    Stage 3

    Clarified what the passport does not grant. We stated clearly: the passport neither grants nor replaces mining licenses—the concession is conducted through a separate regulatory process. The client proceeded without illusions.

  4. 04
    Stage 4

    Executed the gold investment. We structured the gold investment according to program rules—the foundation of the citizenship path and simultaneously the client's link to the sector.

  5. 05
    Stage 5

    Obtained citizenship. Based on the investment, we secured a Sierra Leone passport for the client under the GO-FOR-GOLD route.

Takeaway. Conclusion: GO-FOR-GOLD grants citizenship through gold investment and sector connection, but investment for a passport and mining concession are different things. The right to conduct mining is a separate regulatory process that the passport does not grant.

How we solved the task

How we solved the task

The work was split into verifiable stages so that every conclusion rested on documents.

  1. 01

    Explained the program mechanics

    First, we demonstrated that the GO-FOR-GOLD route proceeds through real gold investment, with the purchase of gold being the starting point of the citizenship path—this is an investment in a physical asset, not an abstract contribution.

  2. 02

    Separated investment and concession

    We clearly distinguished: gold investment for a passport is one thing, and mining concession with extraction rights is quite another. This protected the client from confusion.

  3. 03

    Clarified what the passport does not grant

    We stated clearly: the passport neither grants nor replaces mining licenses—the concession is conducted through a separate regulatory process. The client proceeded without illusions.

  4. 04

    Executed the gold investment

    We structured the gold investment according to program rules—the foundation of the citizenship path and simultaneously the client's link to the sector.

  5. 05

    Obtained citizenship

    Based on the investment, we secured a Sierra Leone passport for the client under the GO-FOR-GOLD route.

  6. 06

    Left the concession as a separate track

    We honestly clarified: the client's presence in mining as a business is built independently, through regulatory procedures. The passport provided citizenship and sector connection, not mining rights.

How the work went

From first contact to the result

  1. 01Explained the program mechanics
  2. 02Separated investment and concession
  3. 03Clarified what the passport does not grant
  4. 04Executed the gold investment
  5. 05Obtained citizenship
  6. 06Left the concession as a separate track

The sequence and timing reflect this specific case and depend on how complete the documents are and on the decisions of the competent authorities.

Expert comment

GO-FOR-GOLD—the name is self-explanatory, and it creates a correct but sometimes excessive association that I carefully calibrate from the outset. Yes, the program is indeed centered on gold: one of the routes proceeds through real investment—purchase of gold from a specified volume, and this is the starting point of the citizenship path. This is an investment in a physical asset that creates a link between the investor and the country's gold sector. However, I always clearly distinguish two things that are easily confused. Gold investment for a passport is one thing. And mining concession—that is, the right to develop a mineral deposit—is quite another: this is a separate commercial and regulatory process with its own licenses and requirements, and the passport neither grants nor replaces it. I tell the client honestly: the program gives you citizenship and sector connection, while entry into mining as a business is conducted separately. This is exactly what we did for this investor—we obtained a passport through gold investment and provided clear understanding of the boundaries. This understanding saves people significant money and stress.

Sergey Evdokimov, Managing Partner, BRIDGESSergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGES

Outcome

What the client received

What was required
How we did it · Result
Passport through gold
gold investment under GO-FOR-GOLD · citizenship obtained
Sector connection
investment in real asset · investor linked to gold
Without concept confusion
separated investment and concession · plan on solid foundation
Mining—honestly
outlined separate track · realistic expectations
Mining—honestly
outlined separate track · realistic expectations

What was the situation: the investor was interested in Sierra Leone's gold sector and wanted a second citizenship. What we did: explained the program mechanics; separated investment and concession; clarified what the passport does not grant; executed the gold investment; obtained citizenship; left the concession as a separate track. What the client received: Sierra Leone citizenship through gold investment and clear understanding that mining as a business is a separate process.

Practical takeaway

What matters in a similar situation

  • Conclusion: GO-FOR-GOLD grants citizenship through gold investment and sector connection, but investment for a passport and mining concession are different things. The right to conduct mining is a separate regulatory process that the passport does not grant.
  • The investor received a passport and a realistic picture—because we obtained citizenship through gold investment and honestly separated it from mining concession, without conflating the passport with extraction rights.
  • An investment under the GO-FOR-GOLD programme gives citizenship, and entry into the sector is arranged as a separate track for your goal. We will look at your case.

FAQ

Questions people ask in a similar situation

01Does a Sierra Leone passport grant the right to mine gold?

No. Citizenship under GO-FOR-GOLD is obtained through gold investment, but the right to develop a mineral deposit (mining concession) is a separate commercial and regulatory process with its own licenses, which the passport neither grants nor replaces.

02How is the gold route of the program structured?

One of the GO-FOR-GOLD routes involves investment in a real asset—purchase of gold from a specified volume, from which the path to citizenship begins. This is an investment in a physical commodity, not an abstract contribution.

03Does the investment create a link with the gold sector?

Yes, investment in real gold creates a link between the investor and the country's sector. However, this is investment for citizenship purposes, not entry into mining as a business—the latter is conducted separately.

04How does investment under the program differ from a mining concession?

Gold investment under the program is a pathway to citizenship. Mining concession is the right to develop a mineral deposit, a separate process involving licenses and regulatory requirements. These cannot be conflated.

05What is the cost of Sierra Leone citizenship through gold investment?

The gold investment route involves purchasing gold from an established minimum volume (approximately from 1 kg) plus administrative fees. Exact parameters are clarified with the competent authority.

06Which documents were key in this case?

Explained the program mechanics. First, we demonstrated that the GO-FOR-GOLD route proceeds through real gold investment, with the purchase of gold being the starting point of the citizenship path—this is an investment in a physical asset, not an abstract contribution. Separated investment and concession. We clearly distinguished: gold investment for a passport is one thing, and mining concession with extraction rights is quite another. This protected the client from confusion.

07Why did the standard route not suit the client?

The program's mechanics are indeed tied to gold: one of its pathways involves investment in a real asset - purchasing gold (from a set minimum volume), which marks the beginning of the path to citizenship. This is not an abstract contribution but an investment in a physical commodity, which in itself creates a connection between the investor and the country's gold sector.

About the author

Sergey Evdokimov

Author: Sergey Evdokimov

Managing Partner, BRIDGES

As Founder and Managing Partner of BRIDGES, I am responsible for the firm's strategy and personally lead its most complex client matters, including cases in which citizenship or residence decisions require a strategic view and consideration of capital.

I begin by defining the objective: the outcome the client needs, the facts that affect the choice, and the matters that require further review. I then establish the available directions, the sequence of work, and the key decision points.

Once the strategy has been agreed, I oversee the BRIDGES team's key decisions and remain involved at the stages that shape the course of the matter. The purpose is to give the client a clear rationale for the chosen direction and a precise understanding of the next steps.

Prepared on the basis of BRIDGES practice and reviewed by a subject-matter expert.

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Anna KovalevskayaHead of Legal, BRIDGES
Anna Kovalevskaya, Head of Legal, BRIDGES

Names and certain details have been changed to protect client confidentiality. The result described reflects one specific situation and is neither a public offer nor a guarantee of a similar outcome. Programme terms are stated as of 2026 and may change - please confirm current parameters with a BRIDGES consultant.