By Ajong Mbapndah L
For years, Sierra Leone’s offshore petroleum potential existed largely as a footnote in West Africa’s energy story — promising geology, limited data and minimal international attention. Today, that narrative is changing, driven by a deliberate strategy of engagement, visibility and advocacy. At the heart of this shift is a growing partnership between the Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone (PDSL) and the African Energy Chamber (AEC), a relationship that has helped reposition the country on the global energy map and culminated in the landmark offshore partnership with Italian major Eni.
From Quiet Potential to Strategic Visibility
Sierra Leone sits within the Transform Margin Basin, geologically linked to proven petroleum systems along the West African Atlantic margin. Yet for years, the country struggled to translate this geological promise into meaningful exploration momentum. Limited seismic data, subdued global awareness and intense competition from more established producers kept Sierra Leone on the margins of investor interest.
That began to change when the country adopted a more outward-facing strategy — one focused not just on technical readiness, but on telling its story in the right rooms. Central to this recalibration has been the leadership of Foday B. L. Mansaray, Director General of the Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone, who has consistently argued that visibility is as critical as subsurface data.
In interviews with Pan African Visions on the sidelines of African Energy Week and other AEC platforms, Mansaray has been direct about the challenge. “Sierra Leone has always had potential, but potential alone does not attract investment,” he said. “Investors want to see clarity, consistency and seriousness, and that is what we are working to demonstrate.”
Foday Mansaray: A Visible and Credible Voice
Throughout Sierra Leone’s re-emergence on the global energy stage, one figure has remained central to the country’s messaging and engagement strategy: Foday B. L. Mansaray, Director General of the Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone. His consistent presence at African Energy Week, AEC-organised forums in Europe and high-level investment dialogues has helped put a human face to Sierra Leone’s energy ambitions.
In multiple interviews with Pan African Visions, Mansaray has underscored the importance of leadership visibility. “For a frontier market like Sierra Leone, you cannot afford silence,” he said. “You have to show up, explain your framework, and be willing to engage openly with investors, partners and critics alike.”
That visibility, he has argued, is not about promotion for its own sake, but about building trust. “Every serious investor wants predictability,” Mansaray noted. “Our job is to demonstrate that Sierra Leone offers a stable regulatory environment, transparent processes and a government that understands the long-term nature of energy investment.”
The African Energy Chamber as an Amplifier
The African Energy Chamber has played a pivotal role in amplifying this message. As a leading advocacy body for Africa’s energy sector, the AEC has created platforms where African governments engage directly with international oil companies, financiers and service providers.
Through flagship events such as African Energy Week in Cape Town and investment forums in Paris, the Chamber has given Sierra Leone sustained exposure to global decision-makers. These platforms allowed the Petroleum Directorate to outline reforms, present licensing frameworks and articulate a long-term vision for responsible resource development.
According to Mansaray, this engagement has been transformative. “The African Energy Chamber has given Sierra Leone a credible voice in global energy conversations,” he told Pan African Visions. “These platforms are not just about speeches — they are about serious discussions with investors who ask hard questions. That scrutiny has helped strengthen our institutions and our message.”
Consistent Presence, Growing Confidence
Sierra Leone’s repeated participation at AEC-organized events sent a clear signal of consistency. Mansaray became a familiar face at African Energy Week, participating in high-level panels on frontier exploration, energy investment and policy reform. Beyond formal sessions, the country’s delegation engaged in bilateral meetings that helped demystify Sierra Leone’s regulatory environment.
This steady presence began to shift perceptions. Frontier markets often struggle with uncertainty, but as Mansaray explained in one interview, “Every time we show up, we reduce uncertainty. We explain our processes, our timelines and our expectations. Over time, confidence grows.”
NJ Ayuk and Continental Advocacy
Reinforcing Sierra Leone’s message has been NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, whose advocacy has elevated the country’s profile well beyond conference halls. Ayuk has repeatedly highlighted Sierra Leone as an underexplored frontier with serious upside, particularly in the offshore.
In African Energy Chamber releases and public commentary, Ayuk has emphasized that Sierra Leone’s progress reflects good governance and openness. “Sierra Leone is demonstrating what happens when a country aligns policy clarity with proactive engagement,” Ayuk has said. “The resources were always there. What changed is the willingness to engage the market transparently and consistently.”
Ayuk has also linked Sierra Leone’s trajectory to broader continental priorities. “Africa needs energy to industrialize, to create jobs and to reduce poverty,” he noted. “Countries like Sierra Leone should not be told to leave their resources in the ground. They should be supported to develop them responsibly.”
The ENI Partnership: Validation from the Global Market
The most tangible outcome of Sierra Leone’s repositioning came with the strategic offshore partnership signed with Eni. For a frontier basin, the entry of a global supermajor represents a powerful vote of confidence.
Reacting to the agreement, Mansaray described it as a turning point. “The ENI partnership confirms that our efforts to improve data, strengthen regulation and engage openly with investors are yielding results,” he said. “It sends a message that Sierra Leone is ready to work with world-class partners.”
NJ Ayuk echoed this sentiment, framing the agreement as market validation. “When a company like Eni commits to a frontier basin, the world pays attention,” he said in an AEC statement. “This is how investment momentum is built — through credibility, consistency and trust.”
Energy Development in a Changing World
While hydrocarbons remain central to Sierra Leone’s near-term strategy, the country’s engagement with the African Energy Chamber has also placed it within broader discussions on energy transition and sustainability. At African Energy Week, Sierra Leone has contributed to conversations on gas-to-power, energy access and the role of natural gas as a transition fuel.
Mansaray has consistently framed Sierra Leone’s approach as pragmatic. “We understand the global transition, but we also understand our development needs,” he said. “Our objective is responsible resource development that supports growth, jobs and energy security.”
A New Narrative Takes Hold
Today, Sierra Leone’s energy story is no longer one of quiet promise. It is a story of deliberate positioning, credible advocacy and growing international interest. The partnership between the Petroleum Directorate and the African Energy Chamber has helped transform perception into momentum.
This transformation has been driven by sustained engagement and disciplined messaging — the often unseen work of energy diplomacy. As NJ Ayuk observed, “Markets respond when countries show seriousness over time. Sierra Leone has done that.”
As new data acquisition programs and future licensing rounds approach, Sierra Leone faces the challenge of converting attention into exploration success and long-term national benefit. What is clear, however, is that the country has crossed an important threshold.
Thanks in no small part to the African Energy Chamber’s platforms and advocacy, Sierra Leone is no longer asking to be noticed. It is being watched — and increasingly taken seriously in Africa’s evolving energy landscape.
*Culled from Feb edition of PAV Magazine
