By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of NP Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL), Dr. Mohamed S. Kanu, has paid a courtesy visit to the Director General of the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA), Dr. Brima Baluwa Koroma, on Wednesday, 24 September 2025, at the Authority’s office on Tower Hill in Freetown.
Director General, Dr. Brima Baluwa Koroma warmly welcomed the NP (SL) delegation, describing the visit as timely and strategic. He underscored the importance of the engagement noting that it provides the right platform for the incoming CEO to familiarize himself with stakeholders at a time of significant shifts in the petroleum sector. He praised Dr. Mohamed S. Kanu’s over two decades of experience both locally and internationally, saying such expertise will bring new energy and vision to the company’s operations.
“NP remains the single largest taxpayer in the petroleum industry and one of the biggest employers in Sierra Leone,” Dr. Baluwa Koroma said, adding that the Authority views the company as the Government’s closest partner in sustaining economic growth. He encouraged NP to continue setting standards in the market by adopting international best practices, maintaining its leadership role and ensuring that its operations align with today’s rapidly changing business environment.
The NPRA Director General appealed to the new CEO to leverage his knowledge of diverse markets to anticipate challenges and take strategic business decisions that will guarantee NP’s growth and long-term sustainability. He stressed that NPRA will continue to regulate within the legal framework, ensuring a balance between protecting investors’ interests and safeguarding consumer welfare.
Responding, Dr. Mohamed S. Kanu expressed appreciation for the reforms spearheaded by NPRA over the last six years noting that the Authority is now far more visible and proactive compared to previous years. He highlighted his recent international roles as CEO in NP Gambia, NP Guinea, NP Liberia and most recently NP Côte d’Ivoire, saying that his exposure to competitive markets has prepared him to navigate the uncertainties facing Sierra Leone’s petroleum industry.
“I am assuming leadership at a time of challenges and uncertainties, but I am confident that with my experience and the support of regulators, NP will continue to thrive,” Dr. Mohamed S. Kanu stated. He pledged closer collaboration with NPRA, stressing the need for consistent engagement to sustain NP’s leadership as the country’s major petroleum operator.
The meeting marked a significant start to Dr. Mohamed S. Kanu’s tenure as CEO, signaling renewed collaboration between NP Sierra Leone and the petroleum regulator to ensure stability, sustainability and continued excellence in service delivery.
