Monrovia – Under the leadership of Director General Christopher D. Sankolo, the Liberia Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (LACRA) has recorded a dramatic surge in agricultural exports, rising from just 2,660 metric tons in 2023 to more than 35,000 metric tons in 2024.
By Selma Lomax | [email protected]
The leap represents an increase of over 1,200 percent — an unprecedented growth that positions the agency as a key player in Liberia’s post-war economic revival.
Appointed in March 2024 by President Joseph Boakai, Sankolo inherited an agency that had long been considered underperforming. One year into his tenure, LACRA has not only boosted export volumes but has also strengthened its operational efficiency, institutional credibility, and financial performance.
The surge in exports is largely attributed to enhanced product quality control, improved oversight, and stronger coordination between farmers, exporters, and regulators.
The number of licensed agricultural exporters has also increased significantly — from six in 2022 to 23 by mid-2024 — supporting broader participation in international trade.
Financially, LACRA has made a dramatic turnaround. From 2022 to 2023, the agency’s account balances reportedly never surpassed US$10,000. As of May 2025, LACRA now maintains over US$1 million in its accounts. Officials credit this to improved revenue collection, tighter trade monitoring, and expanded licensing systems introduced by the current management.
As part of efforts to ensure the quality of Liberia’s exports — especially cocoa —over 50 Quality Control Officers (QCOs) were trained in Ganta, Nimba County, in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Ghana Cocoa Board.
These officers have since been deployed to monitor inspection points, curb illegal trading, and align Liberia’s commodities with international standards.
When Sankolo took office, working conditions at LACRA’s headquarters were reportedly in near collapse. Staff lacked office furniture, computers, and basic utilities.
In response, a full-scale renovation was launched. Offices were refitted with furniture and computers, air conditioners were installed, and bathrooms were repaired. A new three-room sanitation facility was also built for staff and visitors.
Electricity and water access — previously unreliable — have now been restored. A 50KVA generator was procured to replace an outdated unit, while a 100KW transformer was installed as backup power. Water access was restored through a newly constructed borehole and reservoir system, ending the daily struggle to fetch water manually.
Sankolo’s leadership has also seen the rollout of a decentralization strategy aimed at restoring LACRA’s presence in rural Liberia. Offices in Lofa, Nimba, Bong, and Grand Gedeh have been refurbished, with new signage installed to mark LACRA’s renewed presence and improve engagement with farming communities.
The agency has also ramped up its public outreach. Radio programs in local languages now air across several counties to inform farmers and communities about LACRA’s mandate, licensing requirements, and quality standards.
Another notable milestone under the Sankolo administration is Liberia’s reintegration into the Inter-African Coffee Organization (IACO), from which the country had been suspended due to unpaid dues after years of inactivity.
Liberia was officially readmitted on November 27, 2024, after making an initial US$15,000 payment toward its €150,000 debt. The move restores Liberia’s access to international coffee trade platforms, training opportunities, and technical support.
“Rejoining IACO demonstrates that Liberia is ready to re-engage with international trade institutions and take its place among Africa’s leading agricultural nations,” Sankolo said.
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