By Ibrahim Sesay
Recent assertions made by Edmond Abu Jr., Executive Director of the Native Consortium and Research Centre, regarding fuel pricing in Sierra Leone have sparked concern among industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies. In a TikTok video that has since gone viral, Edmond Abu Jr claimed that oil marketing companies are making excessive profits on each litre of fuel sold, alleging that companies are earning Le7 per litre in profit.
He based his analysis on a simplified breakdown of the fuel cost structure, stating that before 2024, companies made only Le1 profit per litre. He presented figures showing a Cost Insurance, and Freight (CIF) price of Le18, a bulk trader price of Le21 and an estimated transport cost of Le1, totaling Le22 per litre. With the current pump price set at Le27, he concluded that marketers are reaping a Le7 profit on each litre sold.
However, industry experts and regulatory authorities have dismissed these claims as dangerously misleading and lacking in factual grounding. They argue that Edmond Abu Jr’s analysis overlooks key components of Sierra Leone’s regulated fuel pricing structure, which is governed by the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA) in accordance with the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA) Act of 2025.
Section 13(b) (ii) of the NPRA Act mandates the PRA to ensure all displayed petroleum product prices align with a comprehensive pricing formula. This formula includes Government taxes and levies, dealer margins, port handling fees, administrative costs and other statutory charges that significantly reduce the margin Edmond Abu Jr describes as “profit.”
“When these legitimate costs are factored in,” said an NPRA official who asked not to be named, “the idea that companies are making Le7 profit per litre is entirely false. In fact, some companies are operating at breakeven or even at a loss.”
The regulatory body also emphasized that pump prices are not arbitrarily determined by marketing companies. Instead, they are set through a rigorous process led by the PRA and reflect international market conditions, foreign exchange rates and importation costs. These factors are outside the control of local marketers, making Edmond Abu Jr’s claims not only inaccurate but also unfairly damaging to the industry’s reputation.
Edmond Abu Jr further lauded companies like Zala and Aminata for allegedly offering lower prices, implying that other marketers are overcharging consumers. But industry observers note that all licensed fuel marketers operate under the same regulatory framework and that price variations may arise due to internal efficiencies, logistical arrangements or temporary promotional offers not systemic exploitation.
His suggestion that fuel prices should be slashed to Le22 or even Le15 per litre has been widely condemned as unrealistic and economically reckless. As Sierra Leone imports all of its petroleum products, such price reductions would either drive marketers out of business or require unsustainable Government subsidies. These subsidies, in turn, would divert public funds from essential services such as healthcare, education and infrastructure development.
“Fuel pricing is a complex and delicate issue that must be treated with both responsibility and realism,” noted an energy economist familiar with the regulatory landscape. “Spreading half-truths and omitting vital components of the pricing model only stokes public discontent and confuses decision-makers.”
While Edmond Abu Jr. is well known for championing consumer rights, stakeholders argue that responsible advocacy must be based on accurate data and a sound understanding of market dynamics and regulatory obligations. Misinformation, they say, only serves to destabilize a sector critical to national development.
Growing calls for greater transparency and engagement around fuel pricing have prompted experts to emphasize the importance of a fact-based, informed public discourse; one that upholds consumer protection and supports economic sustainability while recognizing the complex dynamics of the petroleum supply chain.
