Trusted insights for frontier market investments and development operations

West Africa’s frontier markets simultaneously present opportunities and multidimensional risks. Esepa Insights leverages deep local knowledge, strong networks and a nuanced understanding of political, environmental, social and economic realities across West Africa (especially Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Senegal and The Gambia).

Sierra LeoneLiberiaGuinea Ivory CoastSenegalThe Gambia

Services

We support sustainable investment and development operations by enabling decisions that are financially sound and politically, socially, legally, economically and environmentally conscious.

Investment advisory services

We provide tailored political, environmental, legal, economic and social risk advisory services for governments, development organisations, investors and individuals—across mining, oil & gas, agriculture and general investment.

Mining, oil and gas advisory services

  • In-depth analysis of the political landscape including geopolitical risks
  • Review and insights into legal and regulatory frameworks relating to licences and land
  • Guidance on best practices for ensuring projects are sustainable and result in win-win outcomes
  • Strategies for effective stakeholder engagement with governments ministries, departments and agencies, local communities, and civil society
  • Due diligence on local businesses, institutions and actors
  • Guidance on market entry, including licensing, exploration, and operational phase planning
  • Expert guidance on navigating complex national and regional regulations, including environmental impact assessments and fiscal regimes

Agribusiness investment advisory services

  • Advice on land ownership and usage rights
  • Guidance on best practices for ensuring sustainable projects and win-win outcomes for stakeholders
  • Advising on government policies, incentives, and subsidies available for agricultural investments

Environmental and social governance (ESG)

Expert advice on best practices for analysing and managing environmental and social risks including:

  • Resettlement action plans (RAPs)
  • Environmental and social impact assessments (ESIA)
  • Stakeholder engagement and information disclosure plans
  • Labour management plans
  • Environmental and social management framework and plans (ESMF/P)
  • Occupational health and safety plans
  • GBV action plans
  • Project implementation manuals
  • Grievance Redress Mechanism Frameworks

General market and investment advisory

  • Analysis of political and security risks
  • Due diligence on local businesses, institutions and actors
  • In-depth studies to assess the viability of business ventures and market entry strategies
  • Ongoing support to ensure operations remain compliant with evolving legal and regulatory frameworks

International development advisory services

We offer bespoke services that directly support the design, implementation and evaluation of high-impact programmes, particularly across our focus countries of West Africa (Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Senegal, Ivory Coast and The Gambia).

Programme design and impact evaluation

  • Design and appraisal (VFM and sustainability), assisting in the design of development interventions
  • Baseline, mid-term and final evaluations of new, ongoing and completed development projects
  • Results-based management (RBM) and monitoring, developing strong RBM frameworks for effective monitoring, results tracking and reporting

Governance and institutional strengthening

  • Political economy analysis (PEA) to identify blockages, drivers of change and vested interests impacting programme success
  • Anti-corruption and fiduciary risk assessment to strengthen fiduciary controls and mitigate risks
  • Decentralisation and local governance, providing guidance on decentralisation policies, capacity building and service delivery

Team

Deep regional expertise, strong networks, and grounded understanding of frontier-market realities.

Dr. Felix Conteh
FC

Dr. Felix Conteh

Founder & Managing Director

Dr. Felix Conteh is Founder and Managing Director of Esepa Insights. His career has included roles as Adviser in the Office of the President of Sierra Leone, and Extractives Sector and Social Development Specialist positions at the World Bank. Felix offers nuanced expertise in institutional and policy development/implementation, political economy analysis, environmental and social governance (ESG) and investments. His work spans the mining, fisheries and agribusiness sectors across countries including Sierra Leone, Liberia, Senegal and The Gambia. Felix has consulted for leading UK and US based risk advisory firms, and he is co-author of the mining chapter of the World Bank’s Sierra Leone Country Economic Memorandum (2025). He holds a PhD in Politics and International Studies from SOAS, University of London.

fconteh@esepainsights.com
Djomba Mara
DM

Djomba Mara

Managing Partner

Djomba Mara has led efforts to strengthen mining governance and community engagement in the Mano River Union basin including Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone. His extensive career spans more than 20 years and includes senior roles with GIZ, the International Rescue Committee and Welthungerhilfe, focusing on food security, economic recovery, and natural resource management in conflict-affected regions. He is an alumnus of the University of Oxford and the Geneva Graduate Institute, holding advanced qualifications in project management, law, and development of mining, oil and gas.

Jenkins Flahwor
JF

Jenkins Flahwor

Managing Partner

Jenkins Flahwor is a Mineral Economist and development practitioner with over 15 years of experience across the public, private and non-profit sectors, including roles with GIZ and the UN. He previously managed a $22 million investment portfolio for the Embassy of Sweden in Liberia, focused on environment, climate and natural resources management. He possesses deep expertise in policy dialogue, private-sector engagement, and maximising the benefits of natural resource extraction for developing countries. Jenkins holds a Master of Science in Mineral Economics from Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia.

Contact

Let’s discuss your investment, operational, or programme needs in West Africa.

Esepa Insights Ltd
2 Floor, 100 Jomo Kenyatta Road, Freetown
SL +232 767 19701 UK +44 7883 673532