Sierra Leone is entering a crucial phase in its quest to become an oil and gas producer, with the country's Petroleum Directorate spearheading efforts to attract credible investors. Director General Eng. Foday B. L. Mansaray is leading the charge to strengthen the country's petroleum institutions and advance its energy ambitions. The country has long been overshadowed by established petroleum economies such as Nigeria and Angola, but is now attracting fresh international attention.
Several major energy companies have signed agreements to explore Sierra Leone's Atlantic waters, including Shell, which has signed a reconnaissance agreement covering 19 offshore blocks. Eni has secured a permit to evaluate five blocks, while Marginal Energy has signed an exploration licence agreement backed by a commitment exceeding $225 million. FA Oil is also advancing seismic work, as the country participates in the proposed African Atlantic Gas Pipeline.
The agreements and technical programmes underway have given Sierra Leone a stronger platform to pursue its petroleum ambitions, but the country has yet to achieve commercial oil production. The presence of international companies does not guarantee discoveries, and it remains to be seen whether these efforts will translate into commercially viable projects. President Julius Maada Bio views petroleum development as part of a wider economic agenda encompassing investment, infrastructure, employment, and industrialisation.
Eni's entry into Sierra Leone in November 2025 marked a significant development in the country's efforts to attract major international explorers. The company received a reconnaissance permit covering five offshore blocks, opening the way for a technical assessment of the basin before any decision on a full exploration and production licence. The reconnaissance programme is expected to run for approximately 24 months, involving a review of existing geological and geophysical information.
The Eni agreement followed months of engagement between Eni's senior leadership and the Petroleum Directorate, with improvements in seismic information, basin prospectivity studies, and the regulatory framework being important elements of the discussions. The arrangement is a technical evaluation rather than a commitment to commercial production, but its importance lies in generating the information needed to determine whether the acreage warrants further investment and eventual drilling.
Shell's entry into Sierra Leone came five months after Eni's, with the company signing a reconnaissance permit agreement with the Petroleum Directorate on April 22, 2026. The agreement covers 19 offshore blocks spanning approximately 20,594 square kilometres, with Shell's technical programme including seismic data processing and interpretation, integration of well information, and petrophysical studies. The company is also expected to undertake basin modelling and petroleum systems analysis.
The investments in Sierra Leone's energy sector have been welcomed by President Bio, who described the agreement with Shell as an important development in the country's efforts to responsibly unlock its natural resources. The country's participation in the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline also holds potential for connecting West African gas resources with domestic, regional, and potentially European markets.
Key points
- Sierra Leone is attracting renewed interest from international energy companies, including Shell and Eni.
- The country's Petroleum Directorate is spearheading efforts to attract credible investors and advance its energy ambitions.
- The investments in Sierra Leone's energy sector have the potential to contribute to the country's economic development and industrialisation.
