Liberia: ArcelorMittal’s People-Powered Mining Revolution Ushers in New Era of National Prosperity – 99 Liberians have Benefited From International Scholarships

Monrovia, Liberia – A bold new chapter in Liberia’s development is unfolding, driven by ArcelorMittal Liberia’s (AML) unprecedented investment in people and cutting-edge industry. Through its dual commitment to advanced human capital development and world-class infrastructure, AML is pioneering a transformational model of “people-centered mining” that is redefining Liberia’s economic future and empowering generations of Liberians to lead it.

Since 2012, AML has sponsored 99 Liberians for advanced academic and technical studies around the world. At the same time, it has constructed and commissioned Liberia’s first-ever iron ore concentrator — a state-of-the-art facility capable of tripling national iron ore output and adding value at home. These two milestones, reached in tandem, represent a paradigm shift: for the first time in Liberia’s mining history, foreign investment is not just extracting minerals, but building Liberian capacity to manage, operate, and thrive.

At a celebratory ceremony in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, AML honored the latest cohort of 21 scholarship recipients. Funded entirely by the company under its Mineral Development Agreement, the Advanced Academic Studies Scholarship covers tuition, living expenses, and fees for studies in science, engineering, and technology. Beneficiaries have studied in the United States, Belgium, India, Turkey, Ghana, Malaysia, South Africa, and beyond. The initiative, valued at over $2.2 million, has already produced 41 master’s graduates now embedded across Liberia’s mining sector, public service, and academia.

“We didn’t spend money. We invested the money,” said AML CEO Jozephus Coenen. “Education is a pillar for society, and what we are doing here is building the future of Liberia.”

A New Generation of Liberian Mining Leaders This investment is already bearing fruit. Dozens of graduates now occupy leadership roles at AML, including in engineering, geology, and project management. A standout example is Theresa Nuah-Koah, who earned a mining engineering degree locally and rose to become a Mine Pit Superintendent. “If ArcelorMittal were not here, I would not have the opportunity to practice my career,” she said. “The new concentrator will open more opportunities. Liberians must prepare to take advantage.”

The company’s Vocational Training Center (VTC) and Young Professionals Program further reinforce this trajectory. These initiatives offer hands-on instruction and mentorship, producing homegrown electricians, plant operators, mechanics, and managers who are increasingly replacing expatriate roles.

Transparent and Merit-Based Selection The integrity of AML’s scholarship process has earned wide praise. Overseen by an independent panel including the Ministries of Education and Mines, it has set a national benchmark for transparency and meritocracy. Amb. Levi Deemah, former Grand Bassa Superintendent, noted that the model “defeats the thought of many that people buy their way through opportunities.”

Patience Ndidi Okoye, one of the top scholars, captured the sentiment best: “This is a privilege. Many others wanted this opportunity. We are grateful for the empowerment to prepare us to take on future responsibilities.”

Industrial Revolution in the Mountains of Nimba While investing in brains, AML is also transforming Liberia’s industrial landscape. In June 2025, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai joined AML Executive Chairman Lakshmi N. Mittal to commission Liberia’s first-ever iron ore concentrator in Yekepa. Valued between $1.8 and $2 billion as part of AML’s Phase II Expansion, the facility is the first of its kind in West Africa. It allows Liberia to process lower-grade ore into high-grade magnetite concentrate (66% iron) on home soil.

“This is a significant milestone in Liberia’s industrial development and economic transformation,” President Boakai declared. By exporting value-added ore, Liberia is moving away from the raw material trap and capturing more revenue domestically.

A Mining Model Built Around People In stark contrast to historical concessions that sidelined Liberians, AML’s model integrates people into every stage of the mining process. Over 95% of AML’s pre-expansion permanent workforce were Liberian. Even during Phase II’s temporary contractor influx, locals remain the majority.

AML’s CEO emphasized: “From day one, we prioritize qualified Liberians. We are committed to transferring knowledge and creating opportunities.”

This approach is changing lives and mindsets. Community members like Buchanan’s Joseph Dayougar and Nimba youth leader James Saye speak of AML as a development partner, not just an investor. “Mittal is preparing our children to be future leaders,” Dayougar said. Saye added, “Our town will grow. Our young people will find jobs.”

Global Standards, Local Roots AML’s Vocational Training Center in Yekepa operates free of charge and produces skilled workers who are in demand across the mining and industrial sectors. The company’s training philosophy includes knowledge transfer from expatriate experts to Liberian apprentices — a structured transition that is creating a new generation of technically proficient Liberians.

Government officials have taken notice. Samuel G. Williams, head of Liberia’s bilateral scholarships program, called AML’s scholarship package “the best available for Liberians.”

A Blueprint for National Prosperity President Boakai hailed AML’s expansion as “a bold and courageous step” that will generate positive ripple effects in health, education, commerce, and local development. Communities that once feared foreign exploitation now see a future of shared prosperity.

Unlike past concessions, AML is embedding value into Liberia’s economy through local hiring, knowledge transfer, and industrial infrastructure. As a result, Liberia is no longer just exporting minerals, but also exporting world-class talent and building a path to eventual Liberian-led operations.

A Call to Sustain the Momentum The success of AML’s scholarship and industrial expansion must be scaled. Policymakers must uphold regulatory certainty, communities must remain engaged and peaceful, and other investors should emulate AML’s inclusive approach.

CEO Coenen summed it up in his message to scholars: “Go, study, and return to impact your families, your lives, and your country.”

This is more than corporate social responsibility. It is a national movement. A story of shared progress. A signal that Liberia is ready for large-scale transformation. With education and opportunity at the center, and partnerships that work, the country is turning the page on dependency and stepping confidently into its destiny.

Indeed, as one jubilant student said at the concentrator inauguration in Yekepa: “This is our time.”