NPRA Boss Nominated African Regulator of the Year

15th African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) – 2025 Brima Baluwa Koroma, the Director General of the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA) of Sierra Leone, has been nominated for African Regulator of the Year at the 15th African Business Leadership Awards. Since his appointment in 2018, Mr. Koroma has brought significant transformations in Sierra Leone’s petroleum sector, implementing reforms that have enhanced efficiency, increased revenue, and promoted national development.

Since assuming leadership at the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority he has expanded national storage capacity by 95%, increasing it to 278,000 metric tons, which ensures better fuel security and price stability. With his result oriented driven leadership, increased petroleum revenue by 28% over five years, strengthening Sierra Leone’s domestic income base. Baluwa who many see as a reformist scaled up annual petroleum imports by 30%, rising from 415,000 to 540,000 metric tons by 2025, hence supporting economic growth and demand.

He also enhanced regulatory compliance by over 65%, ensuring greater adherence to petroleum laws, tax payments, and operational standards. In terms of improved fuel distribution by 22.1%, reaching 524 million liters, reducing shortages, and improving nationwide access.
The NPRA boss expanded national jetties from 1 to 4, thereby improving petroleum import/export logistics and infrastructure.
In another transformative move Mr. Baluwa Koroma Introduced the NPRA Act 2025, a landmark law that guarantees transparency, fair competition, consumer protection, and a stable fuel supply.

Today, under Mr. Koroma’s leadership, the petroleum sector contributes over 10% of Sierra Leone’s domestic revenue, supporting critical funds such as import duties, excise taxes, road maintenance, and infrastructure development. He brings decades of public and private sector experience, having held global banking roles at Standard Chartered and serving as CFO at Safecon Petroleum (formerly Shell). He continues to drive meaningful reforms and sustainable energy development. As voting Closes on 29th May 2025, the public is encouraged to vote solidly for Mr. Baluwa Koroma as he needs 65% of the final result.