By Amin Kef (Ranger)
From humble beginnings as a small indigenous venture, NP Sierra Leone Limited has risen to become the country’s leading oil marketing company and a respected regional competitor, with operations extending to Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. Its growth is rooted not only in expansion but also in groundbreaking innovation, robust safety measures and a strong commitment to national development.
At the forefront of this transformation is the Energy Pass Card, a pioneering digital payment system that has revolutionized fuel purchases in Sierra Leone. Launched at a time when cash transactions dominated, the card allows motorists to buy fuel seamlessly without physical cash, while generating instant receipts and detailed transaction records. Businesses and individual motorists have widely embraced the initiative for its transparency and efficiency. For companies managing fleets, the system has become a crucial tool to monitor fuel use and reduce wasteful spending, raising accountability standards in the sector.
Equally transformative is NP Gas, the company’s liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) product. Designed to provide Sierra Leoneans with a safer, cleaner and affordable alternative to traditional fuels like charcoal and firewood, NP Gas has improved household safety, reduced indoor air pollution and contributed to the fight against deforestation. Available in different cylinder sizes, the product has made modern cooking solutions accessible to a wider population.
NP (SL) has also demonstrated leadership in safety and national resilience. Recognizing the hazards of petroleum marketing, the company has invested in infrastructure that goes beyond national safety regulations. Additionally, it has supported the Sierra Leone National Fire Force with boreholes and standby generators to boost emergency preparedness, reflecting its broader responsibility to protect lives and property.
Unlike foreign-owned competitors, NP (SL) employs a workforce that is overwhelmingly Sierra Leonean, from frontline staff to senior Management. Its emphasis on local recruitment and procurement has empowered Sierra Leonean businesses and workers, reinforcing the company’s role in driving local content and economic inclusion.
Beyond business, NP (SL) continues to make its mark through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Its contributions range from health to education and sports, including the establishment of a burns unit at Connaught Hospital and the renovation of Kingtom Police Primary School. Most recently, on September 5, 2025, the company handed over refurbished facilities to the Government Independence Memorial Secondary School in Kissy, Freetown. The project featured a solar-powered borehole, modern classrooms, disability-friendly sanitation facilities and 200 new desks and chairs. Education officials hailed the initiative as a landmark in private sector support for learning.
NP-Sierra Leone’s success story demonstrates how a homegrown enterprise can combine regional competitiveness with deep national roots. By introducing innovative solutions such as digital payments and LPG products, while championing community development, NP (SL) has proven that Sierra Leonean companies can lead with resilience, ingenuity and social responsibility.
More than an oil marketer, NP (SL) stands today as a symbol of national pride; fueling not just vehicles and industries, but also progress, opportunity and hope for Sierra Leone.
