Tonkolili

Tonkolili District is a district in Sierra Leone's Northern Province. Its administrative center is the town of Magburaka. The district covers a large inland area and is one of the historically important agricultural and mining regions in the country.

The district lies inland from the capital Freetown and comprises numerous rural communities that rely on farming; major crops include rice, cassava, and palm oil, with livestock also raised. The population is multi-ethnic, including Temne and Limba communities among others.

Tonkolili is known for mining activity, notably the Marampa iron ore mine near Lunsar. Agriculture remains a backbone for many residents, while energy infrastructure includes the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project on the Seli River at Bumbuna, which provides electricity to parts of Sierra Leone. The district is served by regional road networks and has historically been linked to rail lines that supported mining operations.

Historically, Tonkolili was established as an administrative district during colonial-era governance and is subdivided into chiefdoms for local administration. It suffered impacts during Sierra Leone's civil conflicts in the late 20th century and has since undergone reconstruction and development. Notable towns include Magburaka (the administrative center), Lunsar, and Bumbuna.