Post a comment 
The National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA) of Sierra Leone has released its comprehensive average monthly Platts index data for the first half of 2026, showing that local petroleum prices remain significantly higher than historical levels despite recent corrections in the global market.
The data, covering January to June 26, 2026, highlights continued pricing pressure across refined fuel products and underscores the fiscal complexities of state-backed fuel interventions. According to the regulator, bulk importers are still absorbing substantial premiums, paying approximately USD 263 more for petrol and USD 282 more for diesel per metric ton compared to historical benchmarks.
NPRA data further shows that international wholesale prices peaked between March and May before experiencing a slight easing in June.
The regulator also pointed to structural challenges within subsidised pricing frameworks.
“In a subsidised market, there is no asymmetric transmission of international oil prices to domestic prices when prices fall. The connection is complex for structural reasons; artificially low prices distort the market, and this is the dilemma of subsidy,” the NPRA stated.
