Mustapha Mark Lissa, the newly appointed Managing Director of the Sierra Leone National Shipping Agency (SLNSA), formerly the Sierra Leone National Shipping Company (SLNSC) has embarked on a series of bold institutional reforms within just 45 days of assuming office.
Mr. Lissa, along with his dynamic management team, has focused on transforming staff welfare, improving infrastructure, and enhancing operational efficiency within the agency.
One of the immediate challenges he addressed was the lack of a standby generator. To resolve this, he engaged the Financial Controller and facilitated the procurement and installation of a brand-new 100-KVA generator, replacing the previous 36-KVA system. This upgrade ensures a stable power supply, creating a better working environment for staff.
This decisive action reflects Mr. Lissa’s broader commitment to fostering a conducive workplace that empowers employees to perform at their best. Among his most significant achievements is the successful passage and presidential assent of a transformative legislative bill, a process he inherited but swiftly advanced. Under his leadership, the bill was reviewed, processed, and signed into law by President Julius Maada Bio.
The new Act renames the institution from SLNSC to the Sierra Leone National Shipping Agency (SLNSA), expanding its operational mandate. Crucially, the law grants the agency exclusive authority to clear all goods imported by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), positioning it as a central player in government logistics and maritime trade.
Furthermore, the Act empowers SLNSA to handle both inbound and outbound cargo and customs clearing, enhancing its relevance and revenue-generation capacity. A key provision of the new law requires that 40% of all government cargo must now be transported through the agency, a strategic move to revitalize SLNSA and unlock opportunities in Sierra Leone’s marine sector.
To strengthen institutional partnerships, Mr. Lissa has initiated dialogue with the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, under which the agency operates. To operationalize the new law, SLNSA has issued a public call for expressions of interest from logistics and transport firm, demonstrating a transparent and competitive approach to fulfilling its expanded mandate.
On Day 46 of his tenure, Mr. Lissa signed a landmark agreement with Commodity Trading Company (CTC) Mining, under which SLNSA will facilitate the export of the company’s goods. This deal not only opens a new revenue stream but also signals growing private-sector confidence in the agency’s reform agenda.
Mr. Lissa’s early tenure has been marked by swift action, strategic partnerships, and visionary leadership. From enhancing staff welfare and infrastructure to pushing through delayed legislation and securing private-sector cooperation, his efforts have laid a strong foundation for transforming SLNSA into a key player in Sierra Leone’s maritime and logistics ecosystem.
As the Sierra Leone National Shipping Agency embarks on this new chapter, all eyes will be on Mr. Lissa and his team to sustain the momentum, deliver results, and chart a new course for maritime development in the country.
