By Mariama Bundu
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Alpha Ibrahim Sesay, has assured citizens that the government is closely monitoring global supply chain disruptions and their potential impact on essential commodities, particularly fuel.
Speaking at a weekly press conference in Freetown on Tuesday, 10th March 2026, Minister Sesay explained that international tensions and disruptions in global supply chains have contributed to rising fuel prices worldwide.
He noted that Sierra Leone, which relies heavily on imported petroleum products, is vulnerable to fluctuations in the global market.
The Trade Minister said the government is engaging oil marketing companies and other stakeholders to ensure adequate fuel supply while preventing artificial shortages and price manipulation.
He confirmed that the country currently maintains sufficient petroleum stocks to meet national demand for several weeks, reassuring citizens that there is no immediate risk of fuel shortages.
“As a government, our responsibility is to ensure stability in essential commodities and protect citizens from exploitation,” he said.
The Minister emphasized that long-term economic resilience requires increasing local production and manufacturing to reduce dependence on imports.
He also called for continued collaboration between government institutions, the private sector, and regulatory agencies to safeguard the national economy amid ongoing global uncertainties.
