By Amin Kef (Ranger)

NP Sierra Leone Limited, widely known as NP (SL), has steadily grown into a household name in the country’s petroleum sector. From modest beginnings decades ago, the company has evolved into one of the most trusted indigenous enterprises in Sierra Leone, combining innovation, resilience and a deep commitment to community development. Today, NP (SL) is not only the leading petroleum marketer in the nation but also a strong regional player with operations in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia.

The company’s rise has been built on its ability to adapt to changing market conditions without losing sight of its mission to provide reliable and safe energy services. Unlike many foreign-owned competitors, NP (SL) has consistently invested in innovations that respond to local realities. One of its landmark achievements is the introduction of the Energy Pass Card, a cashless system that allows motorists to purchase fuel conveniently with instant transaction records. This initiative has transformed customer service and promoted financial discipline among users. Similarly, the company’s NP Gas product has become a popular household solution, providing a cleaner, safer and more environmentally friendly alternative to charcoal and firewood.

Operating in an industry prone to risks, NP (SL) has made safety a cornerstone of its operations. Its facilities meet and often exceed national standards, while the company has extended its support to institutions such as the Sierra Leone National Fire Force through the provision of boreholes and standby generators. Those efforts reflect its broader commitment to safeguarding communities.

At the heart of NP (SL)’s growth is its dedication to empowering Sierra Leoneans. The company employs citizens across all levels of management and operations, providing skills development and career opportunities. Its procurement policies prioritize local suppliers, while Filling Station attendants are trained to serve customers with professionalism and courtesy; values that have become the company’s hallmark.

Beyond business, NP (SL) has built a strong legacy of Corporate Social Responsibility. Over the years, it has invested significantly in education, healthcare and sports. Notable contributions include the establishment of a burns unit at Connaught Hospital, sponsorship of school sporting competitions and infrastructural support to educational institutions. A particularly celebrated project was the refurbishment of the Kingtom Police Primary School in Freetown, where the company constructed a modern classroom block, installed a water tower and provided desks and chairs.

Most recently, on 5th September 2025, NP (SL) handed over newly refurbished facilities to the Government Independence Memorial Secondary School in Kissy, Freetown. The project included a solar-powered borehole for sustainable water supply, improved classrooms, refurbished administrative offices, modern sanitation facilities with provisions for children with disabilities and the donation of 200 desks and chairs. School authorities described the intervention as transformative, with Principal Madam Fatoma expressing heartfelt gratitude for an initiative that restored dignity and comfort to both teachers and pupils. A representative from the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education commended NP (SL) for setting a benchmark in private sector support to education.

In his keynote address, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mohamed S. Kanu reaffirmed NP (SL)’s commitment to education and national progress. He emphasized that the project was part of the company’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility strategy aimed at creating a safe and conducive learning environment for Sierra Leonean children. “This handover is not an end but a step forward in our mission to enhance education in Sierra Leone,” Dr. Mohamed S. Kanu remarked, urging pupils to work hard and seize the opportunities provided.

The ceremony ended with widespread praise from Government representatives, school authorities and community members who lauded NP (SL) for demonstrating how corporate institutions can meaningfully contribute to national development.

NP (SL)’s story is ultimately about more than fuel. It is about resilience in a challenging industry, creating jobs for citizens, modernizing energy use and building a corporate culture that places people first. Its steady expansion across the sub-region is proof that indigenous companies, when guided by vision and discipline can compete to international standards.

Sierra Leone’s journey toward sustainable growth is being reinforced by NP (SL), which stands tall as a symbol of national pride, a trusted brand and a shining example of how local ingenuity can power both the present and the future. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/np-sl-champions-education-and-development-with-major-school-refurbishments/