MONROVIA –The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and other key stakeholders, has concluded a validation workshop on the national dissemination of cleaner fuel and vehicle strategies in Liberia.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
Held at the Royal Ambassador Hotel in Unification Town, Margibi County on June 9, the initiative was a significant step forward in Liberia’s efforts to promote cleaner fuels, improve vehicle standards, strengthen environmental governance and advance sustainable transportation systems.
The initiative also aligns with the Government of Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), particularly Pillar Five on Environmental Sustainability, which focuses on climate resilience, clean energy promotion and the sustainable management of natural resources.
Recent estimates show that Liberia’s vehicle fleet has grown significantly, with more than 235,000 registered vehicles and 72,020 imported vehicles recorded as of 2025.
The figures represent a compound annual growth rate of approximately 21.4 percent since 2020.
Speaking at the occasion, EPA Deputy Executive Director for Administration, Anthony S. Kollie, noted that a large percentage of imported vehicles are more than ten years old and often lack modern emission-control technologies such as catalytic converters, diesel particulate filters, and advanced engine management systems.
He explained that these conditions contribute to disproportionately high emissions of pollutants, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, particulate matter, and black carbon—major contributors to urban air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
“As a result, our Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) places special emphasis on the transport sector, with a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 15.1 percent below business-as-usual levels by 2035. Mitigation measures include the introduction of electric vehicles, adoption of cleaner fuel and vehicle standards, promotion of diesel particulate filters for road and off-road vehicles and the establishment of a sustainable transport policy. What we have embarked upon is a move to save lives,” Deputy Executive Director Kollie said.
Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Minister for Administration and Insurance at the Ministry of Transport, Archibald S. Abban, described the initiative as a new chapter in Liberia’s transportation and environmental governance sectors.
He said the program sends a strong signal of the country’s commitment to modernizing the transport sector, protecting public health, improving air quality, strengthening regulatory enforcement, and fulfilling Liberia’s international commitments to climate action and sustainable development.
In separate remarks, Jane Akumu, Programme Officer with UNEP’s Sustainable Mobility Unit (SMU), expressed confidence that the outcomes of the initiative would help position Liberia for cleaner air and a healthier environment.
Also speaking at the event, UNDP Programme, Analyst J. Michael Vawah, emphasized that standards alone will not be sufficient, noting that successful implementation will require strong coordination, reliable data systems, and sustained public awareness.
Meanwhile, Koakun Emmanuel Myers, Deputy Director General for Technical Services at the Liberia Standards Authority (LiSA), described the initiative as a practical mechanism for improving consumer awareness, supporting regulatory compliance, enhancing transparency in the vehicle market and encouraging the adoption of cleaner and more efficient vehicles.
He stressed that attention must now shift toward effective implementation to ensure that the initiative achieves its intended environmental and public health objectives.
