In a strategic move to bolster regional energy security and industrial synergy, the Director-General of the Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone, Foday Mansaray, has formally called for an intensified and sustainable partnership between Sierra Leone and Nigeria.
On Friday, February 13, 2026, during a high-profile visit to the headquarters of OILDEN Energy in Lagos, Mansaray emphasized that the future of Africa’s energy independence lies in robust intra-continental cooperation. The meeting served as a platform to discuss how West African nations can better leverage shared resources and technical expertise to foster mutual economic growth.
Strategic Synergy: Beyond Bilateral Agreements
The engagement in Lagos was more than a diplomatic courtesy; it was a deep dive into the practicalities of energy sovereignty. Mansaray highlighted that the visit allowed both parties to identify critical areas of interest that would define the next decade of Sierra Leonean-Nigerian relations.
Primary Focus Areas for Cooperation:
- Technology Transfer: Implementing modern petroleum extraction and refining technologies developed within the region.
- Capacity Building: Training Sierra Leonean professionals through Nigerian industry standards to ensure a highly skilled local workforce.
- Investment Expansion: Encouraging Nigerian firms to broaden their reach into the Sierra Leonean downstream petroleum sector.
Mansaray specifically noted the positive impact of OILDEN Energy’s existing operations in Sierra Leone. He observed that the company’s footprint has already begun to transform the local landscape by creating high-value jobs and facilitating the transfer of technical knowledge to Sierra Leonean nationals.
Strengthening the West African Value Chain
A central theme of the discussion was the urgent need for West African nations to reduce their reliance on foreign energy imports. Despite the region’s vast natural wealth, much of the petroleum consumed is refined abroad, leading to higher costs and vulnerability to global supply chain disruptions.
Mansaray argued that by strengthening intra-African trade, nations like Nigeria and Sierra Leone could keep more value within the continent. This shift involves moving away from simply exporting raw crude and toward a model of “local value addition.”
“Partnerships built on sustainability and knowledge exchange will deliver long-term benefits for both countries,” Mansaray asserted. “We must leverage our shared expertise to promote industrial self-sufficiency across the West African sub-region.”
OILDEN Energy: A Pillar of Regional Growth
In response to the Director-General’s call for collaboration, the Managing Director of OILDEN Energy, Mr. Oluwatoni Oladiran, characterized the visit as a landmark event in the region’s energy history. He stated that the engagement reflects a deepening of bilateral relations and a shared vision for the future of West African energy.
Oladiran reaffirmed his firm’s commitment to maintaining operational excellence in its Sierra Leonean ventures. He pointed out that supporting industrial self-sufficiency is not just a corporate goal but a regional necessity. By investing in Sierra Leone’s infrastructure, OILDEN Energy aims to set a precedent for how private Nigerian enterprises can act as catalysts for development across the continent.
The Broader Geopolitical Context
The timing of this visit is crucial. As global energy markets face volatility due to shifting geopolitical landscapes, West Africa is increasingly looking inward to secure its future. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework provides a legal and economic backdrop for such collaborations, yet it requires the initiative of petroleum chiefs and industry leaders to materialize.
Economic Impacts of Enhanced Cooperation:
- Job Creation: Diversifying the petroleum sector leads to roles in engineering, logistics, and management for local youths.
- Infrastructure Development: Joint ventures often lead to the construction of better storage facilities, pipelines, and distribution networks.
- Revenue Stability: Reducing import costs allows both governments to retain more foreign exchange reserves, stabilizing local currencies.
The Road Ahead: What Stakeholders Expect
Energy stakeholders across West Africa view this engagement as a sign of growing momentum. There is a widespread expectation that this visit will lead to a formal memorandum of understanding (MoU) that outlines specific joint venture projects in the downstream sector.
Furthermore, the emphasis on sustainability suggests that the partnership will not only focus on traditional oil and gas but will also explore how the petroleum sector can adapt to the global energy transition. By incorporating sustainable practices now, Sierra Leone and Nigeria can ensure their energy sectors remain competitive and environmentally responsible.
Conclusion: A Unified Energy Front
The meeting between Foday Mansaray and the leadership of OILDEN Energy marks a significant step toward a more integrated West African energy market. By prioritizing technology transfer and local value addition, Sierra Leone and Nigeria are laying the groundwork for a future where Africa is no longer just a source of raw materials but a hub of industrial innovation.
As Mansaray concluded, the goal is clear: to build a partnership that transcends temporary profit in favor of long-term, sustainable prosperity for the citizens of both nations.
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