Koroma Calls for Unified Petroleum Policy in Africa
NPRA Boss Champions Regional Regulatory Integration at Africa Downstream Energy Week in Lagos
In a bold call for unity and collaboration, the Director-General of Sierra Leone’s National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA), Brima Baluwa Koroma, has urged African nations to harmonize their petroleum policies and regulatory frameworks to strengthen the continent’s energy independence and economic resilience.
Speaking as Guest Speaker at the 19th Africa Downstream Energy Week 2025 in Lagos, Nigeria, Mr. Koroma addressed an audience of oil and gas traders, producers, investors, and policymakers under the theme “Africa Oil & Gas Market and Regional Regulatory Integration.” His message was clear: Africa’s fragmented energy market stands as one of the biggest barriers to achieving self-sufficiency and sustainable growth.
Despite being richly endowed with hydrocarbon resources, Mr. Koroma lamented that Africa still imports more than 70 percent of its refined petroleum products, a situation that inflates operational costs and strains national economies.
Fuel imports account for over 40 percent of national import bills in some ECOWAS countries,” he explained, “placing an enormous burden on both governments and citizens.”
The NPRA boss highlighted how inconsistent standards, conflicting laws, and uneven tax regimes across African states have weakened collective bargaining power and discouraged long-term investment. These gaps, he warned, have created a market vulnerable to price volatility, supply chain disruptions, and quality disparities.
Regional integration is not about surrendering national sovereignty,” Koroma clarified. “It’s about strengthening our shared capacity to manage our resources, stabilize our markets, and serve our people better while protecting our African values and interests.”
He called for the creation of a unified petroleum regulatory framework that promotes cross-border cooperation, enhances energy access, and encourages investment in refining, transportation, and storage infrastructure. According to Koroma, such collaboration will help standardize pricing, improve fuel quality, and build resilience against global economic shocks.
Drawing attention to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the NPRA Director-General described it as a powerful platform for economic transformation one that could unlock Africa’s full potential if coupled with a coherent energy policy.
With 55 countries, a population of over 1.3 billion, and a combined GDP of more than $3.4 trillion, Africa holds immense potential,” he said. “But to harness that potential, regulators must think collectively, act decisively, and move beyond borders.”
Koroma concluded by calling on regional energy regulators, including ECOWAS and the African Energy Commission, to accelerate dialogue toward regulatory integration and market alignment, emphasizing that Africa’s energy future depends on its unity.
As regulators,” he stated, “we must maintain unity in thought, strategy, and action if we are to shape an Africa that truly benefits Africans.”
