NPRA Chief Outlines Bold Reforms in Moyamba
By Abdul Rahman Bah
During the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s Civic Series held in Moyamba District, the Director General of the National Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NPRA), Brima Baluwa Koroma, highlighted the impressive strides being made in reforming Sierra Leone’s petroleum sector. His remarks focused on dismantling monopolistic practices, promoting transparency, and ensuring the sector contributes meaningfully to national development.
Koroma emphasized that although the government owns the entire fuel infrastructure gantries, terminals, and related facilities, the industry had long been dominated by corporate operators acting like cartels. In response, the NPRA has been mandated to open the sector, attract new players, and restore fair competition that benefits both the economy and consumers.
The transformation has yielded significant economic gains. Koroma revealed that the petroleum sector now contributes over 12% to Sierra Leone’s domestic revenue. Annual revenue has surged from NLE 480 million to NLE 1.7 billion in 2024, thanks to reforms aimed at curbing revenue leakages and enhancing transparency. The Authority now targets more than NLE 2 billion in revenue by 2025, reinforcing the sector’s growing importance as a stable and predictable source of national income.
A critical part of the NPRA’s mission is infrastructure development aligned with Pillar Five of the Big Five Game Changers, which focuses on building the foundation for sustainable economic growth. The agency is working to expand and modernize petroleum facilities to support importation, storage, retail, refining, and bunkering services across the country.
Consumer protection remains a core priority. Koroma stressed that his job is to ensure Sierra Leoneans receive fair value at fuel stations, where transparency and accuracy in fuel dispensing are strictly monitored. The NPRA, he said, is committed to working in the public interest and preventing any form of exploitation.
Competition in the market has also improved significantly. Where previously only two importers dominated the sector, the country now has seven active petroleum importers, marking a key shift toward liberalization. This expansion has increased supply reliability and encouraged more favorable pricing and service standards.
He also noted Moyamba’s growing demand for fuel, driven largely by mining operations. The district alone consumes approximately 20 million litres of fuel annually, a clear indicator of how regional industrial activity is influencing national energy strategies.
In closing, Koroma reiterated the NPRA’s commitment to ensuring that every Leone generated within the petroleum sector supports national development. With stronger regulation, improved infrastructure, and increased competition, Sierra Leone’s fuel industry is rapidly evolving into a model of accountability, growth, and resilience.