By Grace Bryant Mollay
A delegation from the Economic Office of the U.S. Embassy in Liberia, led by Economic Officer Jonathan Hilton, joined representatives of the Liberia Special Economic Zones Authority (LSEZA) and Minister of Commerce and Industry for an awareness tour of the Monrovia Free Zone and Monrovia Industrial Park on April 24,2025.
The visit, held from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM, was a follow-up to the recent Implementing Regulations Validation exercise, reinforcing ongoing collaboration to drive Liberia’s industrial transformation and investment readiness.
The tour began at the Monrovia Free Zone, where the delegation visited warehouse facilities and key logistics hubs.
The U.S. team expressed strong interest in the area’s proximity to the port and its potential for light manufacturing, logistics, and export-focused operations.
The delegation visited the Monrovia Industrial Park, where Minister Dagoseh facilitated the tour and offered strategic insights into ongoing industrial activities.
At the steel and metal sheet manufacturing plant, HR Officer Mr. Siafa Mulbah detailed the recycling-based production process.
He explained how scrap iron is collected, processed, and melted in electric furnaces before being cast and rolled into rebar and other steel products:
“We collect scrap iron, cut it to size, and melt it in our electric furnaces. The molten metal is then cast into billets, rolled into steel rods, and tested to meet international quality standards. We’re proud to say we now supply domestic and international markets, including Guinea, Sierra Leone, and even Ghana,” said Mulbah.
He also noted challenges with power supply, given the plant’s high electricity demands, and emphasized the need for enhanced energy infrastructure to support local industries.
At National Beverages, HR Officer Ms. Hawa Ndama provided an overview of their production lines, which include bottled water, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and other food products:
“We produce Tamma mineral water, biscuits, and Sole Juice, which is distributed across Liberia and exported to Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Ghana. Our parent company, Teva Industrial Group, was the first to establish operations in this industrial park and has since grown to employ over 300 Liberians,” she explained
Ndama highlighted the company’s contributions to employment, employee welfare, and community development, including providing water to nearby neighborhoods.
She also addressed issues related to raw materials, explaining that specific flour specifications required for biscuit production were not locally available, which prompted the need for imports:
“The type of flour produced locally doesn’t meet our product requirements, which is why we continue to import specific types. It’s important for policymakers to understand these technical requirements when discussing local production capacity,” she explained.
Minister Dagoseh used the visit to emphasize the government’s expectation that companies within the Monrovia Industrial Park prioritize workplace safety and fulfill their corporate social responsibilities.
“While we appreciate the job opportunities these companies are creating, the safety of employees and surrounding communities cannot be compromised.’ We also urge these companies to maintain clean and safe environments and to give back meaningfully to the communities they operate in,” she stated.
LSEZA praised the U.S. Embassy’s continued engagement and reiterated its commitment to strengthening public-private partnerships as part of Liberia’s industrialization strategy.
“Visits like these are instrumental in building investor confidence and creating a platform for sustainable economic development. We are committed to fostering a supportive environment for investment, innovation, and job creation—one zone at a time,” LSEZA said in a statement.
As Liberia advances toward a more diversified and resilient economy, the collaboration between government, international partners, and the private sector will remain central to realizing the country’s industrial potential.
Embassy Officials, LSEZA, MOCI Tour Potential SEZs
