Amb Barrie Seeks Saudi Partnership in Energy Sector

Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Mohammed Barrie, paid a courtesy call on the Saudi Deputy Minister of Energy, H.E Dr. Nasser Aldossary. The Ambassador’s visit aimed to discuss strategies for establishing a mutual partnership to “advance and improve Sierra Leone’s energy sector.”

During the meeting, Ambassador Mohammed Barrie conveyed greetings from His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and the government and people of Sierra Leone. He said the purpose of his visit was to further strengthen the longstanding bilateral ties between Sierra Leone and Saudi Arabia and discuss a roadmap for creating a bilateral partnership, fostering cooperation on mutual interests for the two countries.

“Your Excellency, I see a synergy between your country and my country, and it is against this background that I am here with my team to explore how Sierra Leone can partner with Saudi Arabia in energy and the renewable sector and how your country can assist in substantial investment to expand our country’s energy capacity and secure sustainable energy sources,” Ambassador Barrie reaffirmed.

The Sierra Leonean top envoy disclosed that through a series of offshore explorations, Sierra Leone is estimated to hold significant offshore oil and gas reserves, potentially around 30 billion barrels of crude oil.

Submitting the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA’s) Bilateral Business Proposal to the Saudi Deputy Minister of Energy, Ambassador Barrie said the idea emerged during the World Council Energy Youth Forum in Riyadh, October 2025. He added that the NPRA was advised to develop a proposal seeking assistance from the Kingdom for bilateral business with the Saudi Ministry of Energy.

“Your Excellency, it is against that backdrop that I am presenting you with the said Bilateral Business Proposal from NPRA for the construction of a Petroleum Tank and a Strategic Reserve for Sierra Leone’s petroleum sector,” Ambassador Barrie concluded.

Responding, the Saudi Deputy Minister of Energy, H.E Dr. Nasser Aldossary, thanked Ambassador Barrie and his team for the visit. Dr. Aldossary said he was excited about Ambassador Barrie’s energy discussions and proposal. “Your Excellency, I am extremely delighted about the proposal you have tabled,” he said.

Explaining the roadmap towards the partnership, the Saudi Deputy Minister of Energy urged Ambassador Barrie to coordinate with his ministry of energy to establish a technical team, while his ministry engages its technical team in the Kingdom, which will eventually lead to establishing a joint technical team for the two countries. He said “the joint technical team will identify key points and opportunities that will lead to signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between our two countries.”

Key outcomes of Ambassador Barrie’s engagement with the Saudi Deputy Minister of Energy also include:

       The establishment of a strategic petroleum stock/reserve

       Seed-stock/capital for Sierra Petroleum Company (refined products)

       Technical assistance for personnel training and staff development

       Both countries to identify focal point persons for the oil and gas project

       The possibility of the Saudi energy sector signing an MOU with Sierra Leone in renewable energy, a key project of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030

Ambassador Barrie was accompanied by the Acting Head of Chancery, Counsellor Mr. Victor Mohamed Kamara, and the Information Attaché of the Embassy, Alhaji Abubakarr Bah.