Major Investments Expected Soon

By Jamesetta D Williams

Deputy Information Minister Daniel O. Sando has provided updates on key initiatives aimed at strengthening Liberia’s economy, enhancing national food security, and fostering regional collaboration.

In the agricultural sector, Deputy Minister Sando announced the conclusion of a three-day assessment mission with the Mainland Group of Companies from China, which is preparing a US$100 million investment in Liberia.

The group, which already operates several agro-industrial facilities across Africa including five factories in Côte d’Ivoire producing 450,000 tons of rubber annually, as well as facilities in Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, and Zambia plans to establish processing plants and agro-industrial operations in Liberia.

According to Deputy Minister Sando, land has already been secured in District #12, Bong County for a rice processing factory, while several hectares in Margibi County have been allocated for a cassava starch processing plant.

Additional projects include the development of a sugar refinery supported by sugarcane plantations, construction of warehouses and logistics hubs near ports, and expansion of shipping facilities. These initiatives are expected to raise farmers’ incomes by 20–30%, directly benefit more than 150,000 families within five years, create thousands of jobs, and reduce reliance on imported goods.

On the international front, Deputy Minister Sando announced the “Year of Return” for the Liberian Diaspora scheduled for December 2025, following the Diaspora Engagement Conference in Washington, D.C. The event will welcome Liberians from around the world, including African Americans, as part of efforts to encourage investment and participation in national development. Deputy Minister Sando emphasized that this initiative reflects President Joseph N. Boakai’s commitment to national unity and socio-economic renaissance, highlighting the critical role of Liberians abroad in supporting Liberia’s growth.

Deputy Minister Sando also highlighted regional collaboration in the health sector. The Ministry of Health is hosting a three-day West Africa Health Organization (WAHO) Regional Conference in Monrovia, beginning October 1, 2025. The conference convenes ECOWAS member states, including Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Senegal, to review emergency response coordination, assess ongoing health programs, and address challenges such as funding, infrastructure, and communication gaps. The event aims to develop practical strategies to enhance collective health security across the region.

Regarding recent energy sector concerns, Deputy Minister Sando clarified that the government is not targeting specific petroleum companies or religious groups. Temporary closures of facilities, including Shumach Oil and Gas and Comax, were part of routine regulatory enforcement by the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) to ensure compliance with national monitoring protocols. Facilities were reopened after the companies agreed to meet regulatory standards, demonstrating the government’s commitment to transparency and orderly sector operations.

Finally, Deputy Minister Sando announced that Liberia is taking steps to attract additional foreign direct investment in the energy sector. Alaska Canto and TotalEnergies have signed offshore oil exploration agreements, marking Liberia’s first major oil exploration deal in over a decade. Alaska Canto currently operates in 22 countries, including Equatorial Guinea, Senegal, Uganda, and Zambia, while TotalEnergies is a global energy company. Liberia is expected to receive a $27 million signing bonus from the agreements. Preparations for exploration will follow legislative ratification and public hearings, emphasizing the technical and professional nature of the process.

Through these initiatives, Deputy Minister Sando stressed that Liberia is focusing on economic development, diaspora engagement, regional cooperation, and foreign investment, laying the groundwork for sustainable growth, job creation, and enhanced national resilience.