The Director General of the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA), Brima Baluwa Koroma, has officially welcomed the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NPSL), Mr. Mohamed S. Kanu, at the NPRA’s head office in the British Council Building, Tower Hill, Freetown.
During the courtesy visit, DG Koroma expressed delight in receiving Mr. Kanu and his team, noting that the engagement came at the right time. He described the move as timely, adding that it was critical for the incoming CEO of NP Sierra Leone to quickly familiarize himself with the key stakeholders in the country’s rapidly changing petroleum industry.
According to the NPRA boss, Mr. Kanu’s two decades of experience in the petroleum sector, both within Sierra Leone and internationally, brings with it “dynamism, optimism, and hope” for not only the company but also the market at large. “Your appointment is an opportunity to sustain NP’s legacy as a leading petroleum marketer in Sierra Leone while also adapting to the realities of today’s volatile industry,” Koroma remarked.
He further emphasized NP Sierra Leone’s important role in the national economy, noting that the company remains one of the government’s closest private sector partners, the single largest taxpayer in the petroleum sector, and a major employer of Sierra Leoneans. “We recognize NP as a critical partner to government’s development drive. Our doors remain open to support NP in maintaining its track record of excellence,” Koroma added.
Highlighting NP’s strong footprint across West Africa, with active operations in Liberia, Ivory Coast, and The Gambia, the NPRA Director General encouraged Mr. Kanu to build on the company’s regional influence. He urged him to adopt and migrate international best practices into Sierra Leone’s local petroleum market, thereby setting a high standard for competitors to follow.
“My appeal to you, my brother, is that you use your vast international experience to anticipate challenges and take proactive decisions that ensure NP’s organic growth and long-term sustainability,” Koroma stated. He reassured that while NPRA would continue to regulate the sector within the confines of the law, it would also remain committed to balancing the interests of investors and consumers for a fair and sustainable marketplace.
The Director General concluded that the arrival of Mr. Kanu at the helm of NP Sierra Leone signals renewed energy for repositioning, robust strategic thinking, and the building of a stable and efficient market environment.
In response, the new NP Sierra Leone CEO, Mr. Mohamed S. Kanu, expressed gratitude to the NPRA leadership for what he described as the “remarkable transformation” the petroleum sector has undergone over the last six years. He observed that the current market environment is vastly different compared to when he last worked in Sierra Leone, before his overseas assignments.
Having previously served in leadership roles in NP operations across Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, and most recently Côte d’Ivoire, Mr. Kanu stressed that the wealth of experience he gained in highly competitive international markets would be an asset in navigating Sierra Leone’s industry challenges. “I have faced stiff competition abroad, and those lessons have prepared me not to underestimate any competitor here at home. I intend to use that knowledge to reposition NP in Sierra Leone,” he assured.
Mr. Kanu noted that while the sector is currently marked by uncertainty and market pressures, he is confident that NP Sierra Leone will withstand the turbulence under his leadership. He called for continuous collaboration and engagement with NPRA, stressing that as the industry’s largest player, NP requires consistent partnership with the regulator to maintain stability and growth.
“The PRA of the past was not as visible as it is today,” he remarked, praising the current leadership of DG Koroma and his team for their visionary approach. He pledged his commitment to strengthening NP’s cooperation with regulators, investors, and consumers alike to sustain the company’s legacy of excellence.
