In the week of 19 October 2026, Sierra Leone's petroleum regulator counted 6.4 weeks of diesel in stock across the country, and 2.9 weeks of petrol, a situation it described itself as "tight". Across the border, Liberia had raised the diesel price to 6.55 dollars a gallon in April, citing the conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Two countries without a refinery. Two mining economies gathering speed. And the same question for every mine, power plant and business: where will the next litre come from, and at what price?
Take action
- Ask for a diesel offer delivered to Sierra Leone or Liberia: quantity, location, date.
- Understand how a cargo price is calculated.
Sierra Leone: a regulated market, stocks counted in weeks
Prices. The National Petroleum Regulatory Authority sets pump prices. Since 24 September 2026:
| Product | Price per litre |
|---|---|
| Petrol | 40 new leones |
| Diesel | 45 new leones |
| Kerosene | 44.10 new leones |
| Fuel oil | 32.24 new leones |
It was the second rise in under two months: on 3 August, diesel had gone from 35 to 40 leones, with the government announcing a subsidy of 3.04 leones a litre at the time.
Stocks. The regulator publishes stock levels every week. In the week of 19 October: 34.9 million litres of diesel, or 6.4 weeks, with a projected stock-out on 3 December if nothing arrives; 15.1 million litres of petrol, 2.9 weeks; 4.4 weeks of kerosene; 8.1 weeks of marine fuel oil. Since January, the country had imported 314,897 tonnes of petroleum products.
Importers. Seven companies shared the market in the first half of 2026: NP (SL) Ltd (27.4%), Conex (24.1%), Aminata & Sons (17.1%), ZALA Petroleum (15.1%), LeonOil (8.2%), ECO Energy (7.6%) and Malador (0.5%).
Demand. It comes from the Tonkolili and Marampa iron ore mines, the rutile mine, and electricity. Freetown relies in part on a Karpowership floating power plant: in mid-2025 the operator cut supply over unpaid bills, before the contract was extended by a year. In May 2026, while the Bumbuna dam was shut for maintenance, the power utility ran diesel generators in the main cities.
Liberia: a monthly price cap and a state terminal
Prices. Each month, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), sets wholesale and retail price ceilings calculated from Platts quotations. On 4 April 2026, petrol was capped at 5.09 dollars a gallon and diesel at 6.55 dollars. A US gallon is 3.785 litres: 6.55 dollars a gallon is about 1.73 dollars a litre.
Storage. LPRC no longer refines. The state company runs the petroleum products terminal near the Freeport of Monrovia, on Bushrod Island, collects storage fees and issues import licences to qualified importers. In August 2024, a new 17,000 cubic metre tank was due to bring its capacity to about 64,000 tonnes; its chairman noted then that LPRC had lost 30,000 tonnes of capacity by handing half of its facilities to Bea Mountain. A 21 million dollar contract with LUTECH covers the terminal's modernisation.
Demand. It is surging with the mines. ArcelorMittal Liberia set a new record for iron ore production and shipments in the first quarter of 2026 and is guiding to more than 18 million tonnes shipped this year; the group has extended its agreement to 2050 and is expanding the railway to Buchanan to carry up to 30 million tonnes a year. Bea Mountain, the country's largest industrial gold producer, mined 12,146 kilos of gold in 2023, almost all of national output. On the power side, the government is preparing a 100 MW heavy fuel oil plant with private partners, and the energy minister puts the cost of production at 33 cents per kWh.
How to get supplied
By ship, to the port. For a mine, a power plant or an importer, a full cargo delivered to Freetown, Monrovia or Buchanan remains the safest option and the cheapest per litre. The price follows the international quotation plus a premium; freight and port storage come on top.
Through a licensed importer. In both countries, imports go through authorised companies: the importers monitored by the regulator in Sierra Leone, and LPRC licence holders in Liberia. A large consumer can buy from them, or have one of them import its cargo. Mining agreements sometimes provide special regimes: check yours.
With stock on site. When the country counts its stocks in weeks, your tank must count in days. The calculation is in our article on diesel buffer stock on site.
With every batch checked. Certificate of analysis, independent inspection at loading, checks on receipt: off-spec diesel costs more in engines than it saves per litre.
Our reading
Sierra Leone and Liberia are two of the most active mining frontiers in the region. In Liberia, ArcelorMittal is targeting more than 18 million tonnes of ore this year and expanding the railway to carry 30; Sierra Leone presented a critical minerals strategy in May 2026. Yet both countries import all their fuel, and their stocks are counted in weeks.
In the years ahead, fuel will be the first bottleneck on their mining growth. Operators who secure a supply line, with an indexed price, two origins and stock on site, will keep mining. The others will wait for the next ship.
Frequently asked questions
What is the price of diesel in Sierra Leone?
45 new leones a litre since 24 September 2026, according to the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority, which sets pump prices.
What is the price of diesel in Liberia?
The price is capped each month by the Ministry of Commerce and LPRC. On 4 April 2026, diesel was capped at 6.55 dollars a gallon, about 1.73 dollars a litre.
Who imports fuel into Liberia?
Licensed private importers, who obtain their licence from LPRC, the state company that runs the Monrovia storage terminal.
How much diesel stock does Sierra Leone hold?
In the week of 19 October 2026, 34.9 million litres, or 6.4 weeks of consumption, according to the regulator.
What we do
GraceRoad delivers diesel by ship to Freetown, Monrovia or Buchanan, from 2,000 tonnes, with independent inspection at loading and a certificate of analysis for every batch. The price follows the international quotation for the product plus an announced premium, and the loading port is written into the contract. We work with the licensed importer of your choice and help you size your stock on site.
Ask for an offer on WhatsApp or see how we deliver fuel.
Read next: fuel supply for a mine in Guinea and selling fuel in West Africa: licences and who is allowed.
Sources: Sierra Leone National Petroleum Regulatory Authority, official website (prices of 24 September 2026, stocks for the week of 19 October 2026, 2026 imports, first-half market shares); Sierraloaded, August 2026 (3 August increase and subsidy); Africa Energy, 2025 (Karpowership contract extension); Awoko, 2025 (Karpowership supply cut); Premier Media, May 2026 (Bumbuna maintenance and diesel generators); Liberia Ministry of Commerce and Industry, circular of 3 March 2026 (price ceilings based on Platts); CGTN and allAfrica, 5 and 6 April 2026 (prices of 4 April, Strait of Hormuz); Wikipedia, "Liberia Petroleum Refining Company" (LPRC's role); Liberian Observer and Tank Terminals, August 2024 (new tank, capacity, transfer to Bea Mountain); FrontPage Africa (LUTECH contract; 100 MW plant and power cost, 2026); ArcelorMittal, first-quarter 2026 results filed with the SEC (record in Liberia, more than 18 million tonnes, agreement extended to 2050, railway expanded to 30 million tonnes); Local Voices Liberia, April 2026 (Bea Mountain gold output in 2023); The Rio Times, May 2026 (Sierra Leone critical minerals strategy, 2026 to 2031).