The Government of Sierra Leone, through the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA), has issued a stern warning to petroleum dealers following the sudden, uniform adjustment of pump prices to NLe 28.5 across the country. The move, described as cartel-like behaviour and an attempt to exploit consumers, has been condemned as illegal under the NPRA Act 2025.
At a press conference held at the NPRA Headquarters on A.J. Momoh Drive, Tower Hill, Freetown, NPRA Director General, Mr. Brima Baluwa Koroma, expressed outrage over the overnight alignment of prices. He stressed that while the government recently increased the ceiling price from NLe 27.4 to NLe 28.5 a marginal rise of NLe 1.1 dealers are permitted to sell below the ceiling, not uniformly at the maximum. “If you buy fuel at NLe 22 or NLe 23 at the terminal, you cannot simply add four or five leones because there is a ceiling. That ceiling is a signpost for how the market should operate, not a license to extort consumers,” Mr. Koroma stated.
The Director General explained that NPRA introduced a new pricing formula to ensure transparency and fairness in the petroleum downstream industry, which he described as highly diverse. Since 2018, the number of dealers has grown from 200 to over 540, with suppliers importing fuel from various countries including Spain, France, Senegal, and Lomé. Due to differences in shipping routes and costs, pump prices should naturally vary. The sudden alignment at NLe 28.5 raises serious concerns about cartelization and tacit collusion.
Under the NPRA Act 2025, price fixing and cartel behaviour are illegal, and Section 54 explicitly prohibits operators from cooperating in ways that undermine competition. Mr. Koroma warned that any attempts by dealers to form blocs to maximize profits at the expense of consumers will face decisive enforcement measures. He assured the public that fuel storage is no longer a challenge, and that consumers must be guaranteed value for money.
NPRA will station teams at terminals to verify invoices and ensure compliance, promising that any resistance from dealers will result in sanctions as provided by law. The Director General emphasized that while the ceiling price adjustment was modest, dealers who increased prices by NLe 3 or NLe 4 acted in bad faith and against public interest.
Since the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) came to power in 2018, the petroleum downstream industry has undergone significant transformation. Barriers to entry have been removed, allowing new players such as Zala, Aminata, Eco Energy, and Malador to enter the market. These entrants have discouraged monopolies, promoted competition, and improved consumer access to lower prices and better service delivery. The sector has also become a reliable source of domestic revenue for the National Revenue Authority (NRA), contributing significantly to national development.
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has consistently emphasized the sector’s importance to Sierra Leone’s economy. In recent engagements with oil marketers at State House, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening private sector growth through dialogue and partnership. “We are here to listen to you, to understand your concerns, assess our partnership, and explore how we can further strengthen it,” President Bio said.
The government’s firm stance against cartelization reflects its broader commitment to transparency, accountability, and consumer protection. Sierra Leone’s petroleum sector is open, competitive, and legally guided. Dealers are urged to respect the NPRA Act 2025, operate fairly, and ensure that Sierra Leoneans receive value for money. The government will continue to monitor the sector, enforce compliance, and engage the public to ensure petroleum reforms support national development goals.