By Sallieu S. Kanu
Sierra Leone – Thursday, November 6, 2025: Italy’s energy giant Eni S.p.A has officially entered Sierra Leone’s offshore energy sector, signing a landmark reconnaissance agreement with the Government of Sierra Leone that signals growing international confidence in the country’s investment climate and governance under President Julius Maada Bio.
Facilitated by the Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone (PDSL), the agreement grants Eni access to offshore blocks G113, G129, G130, G131, and G132 — spanning approximately 6,790 km² within Sierra Leone’s territorial waters. The company will conduct advanced geological and geophysical surveys to assess petroleum prospectivity and inform future drilling decisions.
This marks Eni’s first major engagement in Sierra Leone’s offshore basin and is widely seen as a vote of confidence in the Bio administration’s efforts to reform and strengthen the extractive sector. Over recent years, the government has prioritized regulatory clarity, transparency, and investor-friendly reforms to attract global energy players.
Foday Mansaray, Director General of PDSL, hailed the agreement as a breakthrough for Sierra Leone’s upstream ambitions. Speaking on Arise TV, Mansaray emphasized the significance of attracting a tier-one company like Eni to a frontier market.
“African countries have struggled to attract tier-one drilling companies,” Mansaray said. “Thanks to President Bio’s leadership and the efficiency of Eni S.p.A., Sierra Leone is moving into a new chapter of upstream development.”
He noted that recent data reprocessing efforts have revealed an estimated 30 billion barrels of oil-in-place potential, with 15–20 billion barrels considered technically recoverable — a figure that has bolstered investor interest.
The African Energy Chamber (AEC) described the agreement as a “pivotal moment” in Sierra Leone’s energy resurgence. AEC Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk praised the country’s improved regulatory environment and proactive leadership, stating that Eni’s involvement reflects renewed confidence in West Africa’s frontier petroleum opportunities.
“Sierra Leone’s commitment to transparency, technical credibility, and investment-friendly reforms is clearly paying off,” Ayuk said.
The agreement aligns with the Bio administration’s broader vision to transform Sierra Leone into a net energy exporter. Officials say the country is entering an “aggressive investment and promotion phase” ahead of 2026, with the offshore basin poised to attract further interest from global majors and independents. With Eni’s arrival, Sierra Leone is now firmly positioned on the global energy map — a testament to its evolving governance, geological promise, and strategic push to unlock long-term economic transformation.