Delivering the keynote address, Liberia’s Foreign Minister, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment, citing ongoing strategic reforms and abundant natural resources.
“Liberia is open for business and committed to creating an environment conducive to investment across various sectors,” she said, while highlighting the government’s ARREST agenda — focusing on Agriculture, Roads and infrastructure, Rule of law, Education, Sanitation and Health, and Tourism.
Minister Nyanti underscored the importance of economic diplomacy in advancing national interests. “In developed countries, economic diplomacy is about exporting their companies and products into global markets,” she said. “African leaders must ensure that economic diplomacy becomes the gateway for business by creating enabling environments and ensuring that responsible sectors collaborate effectively.”
She added that Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its embassies and ambassadors, has taken the lead in promoting investment through international engagement. “This is the second such conference — the first was held in China last year. The third will be held in Belgium, focusing on European investors and companies,” she announced.
Key Investment Sectors Highlighted
Minister Nyanti spotlighted agriculture as a high-potential sector, noting Liberia’s vast arable land and favorable climate. Investment opportunities exist in rice, cocoa, oil palm, cassava, and fisheries. She emphasized agriculture’s role in food security and rural development, as it employs a significant portion of the population.
Ex-pres. Sirleaf Calls for Deeper Ghana-Liberia Ties
Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf also addressed the conference, calling for stronger trade and investment collaboration between Ghana and Liberia. She emphasized the long-standing bilateral relationship between the two nations and the need to explore mutually beneficial economic opportunities.
Sirleaf urged current leaders to build upon historical ties and leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to elevate cooperation to a new level.
“We must continue the work started by Nkrumah and others. Our current leaders, whom we know and respect, have a unique opportunity to make this happen,” she said. She also appealed to ECOWAS member states to reinforce border controls to ensure safe and secure trading, warning that porous borders could undermine economic progress.
“Our interdependence in technology, finance, and other sectors shows that no country can afford to be left behind. We must invest in one another,” she added.
Liberian Ambassador Promotes Private Sector Investment
Liberia’s Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Musu Jatu Rhule, urged international organizations to invest in Liberia’s growing economy, citing political and economic stability as attractive factors for global investors.
She encouraged the private sector to capitalize on Liberia’s favorable investment climate, which includes significant natural resources such as gold and diamonds.
“Liberia has made meaningful progress in infrastructure development, digital transformation, energy, agriculture, and value-added manufacturing,” Ambassador Rhule said. She emphasized the country’s readiness to welcome Ghanaian businesses looking to expand into new markets.
“We have banks based here in Ghana that are also registered in Liberia. We’re seeking more partnerships with Ghanaian entrepreneurs — and that’s why this conference was held in Accra: to show what’s possible.”
She added that several Ghanaian business owners already operating in Liberia are sharing their success stories and helping attract new investors. “The business environment has evolved. It’s now about partnerships and open dialogue — not just embassy channels,” she said.
Liberia’s Tax Incentives Attract Interest
Paul Hinneh, a tax expert from the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), highlighted Liberia’s investor-friendly tax regime, including reduced tax rates and long-term investment guarantees.
“One of our key incentives lies in our tax laws. We offer reduced rates and long-term contractual guarantees,” he said. “If you sign a 10-year agreement, it remains valid regardless of political or legal changes. Your investment is secure.”
Strengthening Liberia–Ghana Economic Ties
Organized by the Liberian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Liberian Embassy in Ghana, the conference featured panel discussions, sector-specific presentations, and a Liberia-Ghana Trade & Culture Expo, aimed at fostering direct engagement between potential investors and Liberian stakeholders.
Hosting the event in Accra — a major financial hub in West Africa — underscored the strategic importance of Ghana-Liberia relations and was a calculated move to deepen bilateral cooperation.
