Blegay Leads Push for Investment, Jobs as Maryland Delegation Heads to Liberia

A delegation of government officials and business leaders will explore partnerships in agriculture, technology, healthcare, tourism and environmental services during an October 29–November 5 mission aimed at translating a bilateral agreement into economic opportunities.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Prince George’s County Councilwoman At-Large Wala Blegay will lead a high-level Maryland–Liberia trade mission to Liberia from October 29 to November 5, 2026, with a focus on attracting investment, creating jobs and expanding commercial ties between Liberia and the U.S. state of Maryland.

The mission will bring together government officials, business executives, entrepreneurs and development partners to explore investment opportunities and establish partnerships across several sectors of the Liberian economy.

Speaking during a meeting at the Embassy of Liberia in Washington, D.C., with Liberian Ambassador Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh, Blegay said the delegation intends to move beyond diplomatic engagements and pursue practical initiatives capable of generating economic benefits for both Liberia and Maryland.

“We are bringing businesses with specific proposals and looking to create partnerships that generate lasting opportunities for both Liberia and Maryland,” Blegay said. “Our focus is on developing relationships that lead to real projects, job creation, and long-term economic growth.”

According to Al-Jerome Anastas Chede Sr., Minister Counselor for Press and Public Affairs at the Liberian Embassy, the delegation will include representatives from government, agriculture, technology, healthcare, tourism, environmental services and workforce development.

The participants are expected to explore opportunities in agricultural production and exports, waste management, recycling, telecommunications, cybersecurity, healthcare training, tourism, mining and youth entrepreneurship.

Agriculture, Waste Management In Focus

Agriculture is among the key sectors targeted by the mission, with participating businesses seeking opportunities to strengthen production, processing and export capacity.

LIBHANA Produce, led by Ahamadu M. Sirleaf, is seeking partnerships in agricultural production, fruit processing, cold storage, packaging and exports, with particular attention to Liberia’s mango and pineapple industries.

The company will work alongside The Troutman Management LLC, led by Clement T. Troutman, which plans to explore agricultural supply chains and trade opportunities linking Liberia and Maryland.

The proposed partnerships could help address challenges affecting Liberia’s agricultural sector, including limited processing capacity, inadequate cold storage and difficulties connecting local producers to larger markets.

Environmental services will also feature prominently in the discussions.

U.S. Refuse LLC, led by Kirk Goode, intends to assess opportunities in waste collection, recycling, environmental management and workforce training. Discussions are expected to include the possibility of developing a pilot project in Monrovia.

If developed, such an initiative could create opportunities for collaboration on waste management and recycling while supporting employment and environmental improvement efforts.

However, the mission’s stated objectives remain exploratory, and the proposed projects will require further discussions to determine their feasibility, financing and implementation arrangements.

Technology and Healthcare Opportunities

The delegation will also examine opportunities to support Liberia’s technological development and expand access to specialized training.

Femdel LLC, led by Gbenga Oyedele, is pursuing potential partnerships in broadband expansion, telecommunications, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and smart-city infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the Juxtopia Group and JUICE Network, under the leadership of Dr. Jayfus Tucker Doswell, are exploring opportunities involving healthcare technology, nursing workforce development and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) entrepreneurship programs for Liberian youth.

These areas could provide avenues for technical cooperation, professional training and skills development, particularly as Liberia seeks to strengthen its workforce and expand the use of technology in public and private institutions.

The extent to which the proposed initiatives will translate into concrete projects is expected to depend on discussions with relevant government agencies, educational institutions, healthcare providers and local businesses.

Tourism, Mining and Business Development

Tourism and cultural exchange are additional priorities for the delegation.

Clear Kayak Liberia and Kairos Kids Collection, represented by Kubahki “Kuki” Vincent Osei, are promoting a proposed Maryland–Liberia Youth, Culture and Tourism Exchange Program.

The initiative is intended to connect young people, diaspora families and tourism stakeholders in both regions, creating opportunities for cultural exchange and collaboration in tourism development.

Other participating businesses are exploring opportunities in mining, mineral processing, technical education, export logistics and business development.

MOI-JEY LLC, led by Daniel Moijueh Jr., plans to explore responsible mining, mineral processing, technical education and export logistics.

The Image Consulting Group, headed by Wunmi Duyile, is seeking opportunities in business development, procurement, trade and workforce training.

Duyile’s Legacy Premier Foundation is coordinating and administering the trade mission.

The diversity of the participating businesses reflects the delegation’s stated intention to pursue cooperation beyond traditional trade, including skills development, technology transfer and private-sector partnerships.

Bilateral Agreement Faces Implementation

The trade mission follows the signing of a Maryland–Liberia Memorandum of Understanding on June 24, 2026, by Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Secretary of State Susan Lee.

Welcoming the delegation on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. and Foreign Minister Sara-Beysolow Nyanti, Ambassador Conteh expressed appreciation to Maryland’s leadership for supporting the agreement.

He said the priority now is to translate the memorandum into tangible results through business partnerships, investment opportunities and sustained cooperation.

The ambassador assured the delegation that organizers and designated focal persons were working with Liberian officials to arrange meetings with the President, legislative leaders and key government ministries.

The proposed engagements are expected to involve ministries and agencies responsible for agriculture, commerce, finance, energy, health, education, youth development, tourism, telecommunications and environmental protection.

Meetings are also being sought with the National Investment Commission, Liberia Revenue Authority, National Port Authority, Liberia Chamber of Commerce, universities, healthcare institutions and local business leaders.

The engagements are expected to provide opportunities for the delegation to present its proposals, identify potential local partners and discuss the regulatory and institutional requirements for doing business in Liberia.

The participation of government officials from Prince George’s County is also expected to help strengthen institutional relationships and identify areas where public-sector cooperation could complement private investment.

The government delegation is expected to include Prince George’s County Council Chair Krystal Oriadha, Council Member Edward Burroughs III and Akilah S. Alleyne, Ph.D., of the Maryland Office of the Secretary of State’s International Affairs team, along with supporting staff.

Success to be Measured by Lasting Partnerships

Despite the range of sectors represented, Blegay said the mission’s success should not be judged solely by whether participating businesses immediately commit substantial sums of money.

Instead, she said, the focus will be on establishing relationships, identifying viable projects and creating a foundation for continued cooperation after the delegation returns to the United States.

“Our goal is to connect the right people and institutions, identify viable projects, and create a pathway for continued collaboration after the delegation returns,” she said.

The mission presents potential opportunities for Liberia to expand agricultural processing and exports, modernize aspects of its technology infrastructure, improve environmental services, strengthen healthcare training and develop its tourism sector.

For Maryland businesses, the engagement could open access to new markets and create opportunities to establish commercial relationships in Liberia, particularly for companies based in Prince George’s County.

Still, the practical impact of the initiative will depend on whether the discussions produce bankable projects, clear implementation plans, financing arrangements and commitments from participating businesses and their Liberian counterparts.

For Liberia, the immediate challenge will be to ensure that the proposed engagements move beyond meetings and expressions of interest toward investments and partnerships that can generate measurable economic benefits.

As the country seeks to expand private-sector participation and create employment opportunities, the Maryland–Liberia Trade Mission offers a platform to test whether existing diplomatic and diaspora ties can be converted into sustained commercial cooperation.

The October 29–November 5 visit is expected to provide an initial opportunity to identify those prospects and establish the relationships needed to advance them.