Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — After more than three decades of inactivity, Liberia has been officially re-admitted to the Inter Africa Coffee Organization (IACO), marking a significant step toward revitalizing the country’s coffee sector.
By Edwin G. Genoway, Jr(231886458910)[email protected]
This momentous development took place on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, on the sidelines of the 64th High-Level Panel and General Assembly of the Inter Africa Coffee Organization in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Liberia’s long absence from IACO was largely a result of the civil war that ravaged the country in the 1990s, leading to the country’s default on several international obligations and the suspension of its membership in various organizations, including IACO.
Liberia had been a member of IACO since 1972 and was once a dynamic participant, particularly during the 1980s when the Liberia Produce Marketing Corporation (LPMC)—now renamed the Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA)—was a key player in the coffee sector.
However, due to political and economic instability, Liberia’s membership lapsed, leaving the nation sidelined from vital discussions and trade opportunities within the global coffee community.
According a release from LACRA, Over the past several years, under the leadership of Honorable Christopher D. Sankolo, LACRA’s current Director-General, Liberia has made consistent efforts to re-establish its presence within the organization.
A Step Toward Transformation
On the occasion of the re-admittance, Liberia made a symbolic payment of $15,000 USD as part of its debt settlement to IACO, which has a total outstanding balance of 150,000 euros.
The release said this payment was seen as a positive gesture of Liberia’s renewed commitment to re-engage with the organization and fulfill its financial obligations.
Sankolo, who represented both LACRA and the Ministry of Agriculture at the event, described Liberia’s re-admittance as a pivotal milestone for the country’s coffee industry.
“Our re-admittance after three decades is a testament that our President, Joseph Nyumah Boakai, who himself is an agriculturalist, has a special interest in the advancement of agriculture trade, particularly coffee and cocoa,” Sankolo remarked during the High-Level Policy Forum.
Sankolo, who served as one of the nine panelists at the Forum, also pledged the government’s determination to settle all outstanding obligations to IACO in the shortest possible time.
His participation highlighted Liberia’s renewed commitment to contributing to the growth of the African coffee sector, which is facing increasing challenges, such as climate change and fluctuating global prices.
Addressing Key Coffee Sector Challenges
The High-Level Panel, which convened as part of the 64th General Assembly, focused on critical issues impacting the coffee sector across Africa. Among the topics discussed were the effects of climate change on coffee production, financing mechanisms for coffee farmers, the role of research and innovation, and the challenges related to the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which is affecting coffee trade in Africa.
Sankolo emphasized that the government’s strategic vision for Liberia’s coffee sector would be centered on sustainable growth, improved farmer skills, and increased access to international markets. He also called for greater collaboration between the government, local farmers, and international partners to overcome the hurdles facing the sector.
Reviving Liberia’s Coffee Industry
Earlier this year, in August 2024, a delegation from IACO, led by Secretary-General Solomon Rutega and Dr. Celestine Gataryiha, the Director of Research and Development, visited President Joseph Boakai in Monrovia. The meeting aimed to discuss strategies for rejuvenating Liberia’s coffee industry, which has faced numerous challenges in recent years due to both economic and environmental factors. During the meeting, President Boakai expressed his administration’s commitment to revitalizing the coffee sector and highlighted the potential role of the sector in Liberia’s broader economic recovery.
LACRA’s Director-General Sankolo, who hosted the IACO delegation, also met with the IACO representatives to discuss the way forward for Liberia’s coffee industry. Key discussions included the importance of capacity-building for local farmers, enhancing the value chain, and exploring new opportunities to access international markets. Sankolo stressed that Liberia was open to working closely with IACO and other international organizations to ensure that Liberia’s coffee sector would once again become competitive on the global stage.
About IACO
The Inter Africa Coffee Organization (IACO), founded in 1960, plays a crucial role in addressing the challenges faced by African coffee-producing countries. Its mission is to enhance the global competitiveness of African coffee, improve market access for African producers, and promote the interests of African coffee growers. The organization is headquartered in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and has been a key player in shaping coffee trade policies across the continent.
Liberia’s re-admittance to IACO offers a ray of hope for the country’s coffee industry, which once thrived as one of West Africa’s key producers. With renewed leadership, government commitment, and international partnerships, the future looks promising for Liberia’s coffee sector.
The IACO re-admittance is not just a diplomatic success but also a reflection of Liberia’s determination to reclaim its place in the global coffee market, which could provide much-needed economic opportunities for farmers and create new avenues for sustainable agricultural growth.
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