By: Andrew Chokpeleh
Freetown, 17th November 2025- Sierra Leone is a country blessed with an abundance of mineral resources, and for a long time, it has been known for its vast mineral wealth. For years, many have speculated that the country also possesses oil, which could become one of its most valuable natural resources.
Oil is a resource that has the power to transform a nation’s economic situation and improve the living standards of its people. This is why many have been hopeful that if Sierra Leone indeed has oil, then better days lie ahead for the country.
The Director General of the Petroleum Directorate in the Office of the President, Engineer Foday Mansaray, confirmed during an interview on Truth Morning Devotion that Sierra Leone has over 30 billion barrels of recoverable oil. He also stated that Sierra Leone is one of the most competitive countries in the oil sector in terms of fiscal policy.
Engineer Mansaray explained that efforts are underway to attract companies that can conduct geological studies of the subsurface. This, he said, will help guide the drilling process since drilling a single well is very costly, and they cannot afford to drill in the wrong locations. He revealed that Sierra Leone has successfully attracted an Italian oil and gas company one of the largest in the world showing strong investor confidence in the country’s oil potential.
He further mentioned that Sierra Leone hopes to discover larger quantities of oil that would bring real commercial value to the nation. This is why the government is welcoming private sector participation to help speed up drilling and exploration efforts that could eventually make Sierra Leone a producer and net exporter of oil.
The Petroleum Directorate, according to Mansaray, is also committed to ensuring that any company entering the sector undergoes thorough vetting. This process is meant to confirm each company’s credibility and ensure that no company acquires licenses without actually carrying out the required work. He also highlighted the establishment of the Sierra Leone National Petroleum Company (SLNPC), which was created to safeguard the country’s commercial interests. The SLNPC will also manage fuel import and export operations and invest in oil and gas assets in other countries.
However, the biggest concern among citizens is whether any eventual commercial oil discovery will truly improve the living standards of ordinary Sierra Leoneans. This concern arises from the experiences with other mineral resources such as diamonds, gold, rutile, bauxite, and iron ore which have not significantly impacted people’s lives. Many citizens still go to bed hungry, unable to afford basic necessities, while the country continues to rely heavily on international financial aid to fund its development projects.
In many mining communities, despite the wealth extracted from their lands, residents live in extreme poverty. Mining companies often fail to deliver adequate corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects, and some even underpay their workers. As a result, Sierra Leoneans are now hoping that once oil production begins, the benefits will finally reach the people not just those in positions of power.
The discovery of oil brings renewed hope for Sierra Leone a hope that goes beyond figures and forecasts. It represents the dream of a nation longing to rise from poverty and create a future where its natural wealth truly serves its people. For many Sierra Leoneans, this moment is about more than just barrels of oil it’s about the promise of opportunity, dignity, and shared prosperity. The world is watching, and the people are waiting to see if this time, the story will be different.
