The Director General of the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA), Brima Baluwa Koroma, officially received the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NPSL), Mr. Mohamed S. Kanu, at the NPRA offices in the British Council Building, Tower Hill.

During the meeting, DG Koroma expressed enthusiasm for the CEO’s first engagement with key industry stakeholders. He emphasized that Mr. Kanu’s extensive experience spanning over two decades in the petroleum sector across West Africa and beyond would inject dynamism and strategic foresight into Sierra Leone’s oil market.

We are impressed with the timely visit from NPSL leadership. This is the perfect opportunity for the incoming CEO to familiarize himself with the local market landscape and engage directly with stakeholders, Koroma said. He highlighted NPSL’s pivotal role as a leading partner to the government, the largest taxpayer in the sector, and a significant employer in the region.

Recognizing NPSL’s operations across Liberia, Ivory Coast, and The Gambia, the DG urged the company to maintain its position as Sierra Leone’s top oil marketer by adopting global best practices and setting industry benchmarks. I encourage my brother to leverage his international management experience to navigate today’s volatile market. NPRA will continue to regulate within the legal framework, while operators like NPSL are expected to make strategic business decisions that ensure sustainable growth and protect both investors and consumers, Koroma added.

In response, CEO Mohamed Kanu expressed admiration for NPRA’s leadership and the transformations the sector has undergone over the past six years. He noted that the Sierra Leone market is markedly different from his previous tenure abroad with NP Gambia, NP Guinea, NP Liberia, and NP Côte d’Ivoire, where he has successfully led operations in competitive and dynamic environments.

I am excited to return to Sierra Leone at a time of both challenges and opportunities. NPRA’s visionary approach inspires confidence, and I am committed to leveraging my experience to address market bottlenecks, strengthen NPSL’s performance, and ensure industry stability, Mr. Kanu stated. He also appealed for maximum cooperation from regulators, emphasizing the importance of partnership between the Authority and NPSL.

The leadership exchange marks a promising step for Sierra Leone’s petroleum sector, signaling a renewed focus on strategic growth, market stability, and efficient business operations.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday, 26th September, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)