By Laurina B. Lormia
President Joseph Boakai has announced the formation of a high-level steering committee, led by Vice President Jeremiah Koung, to mobilize financing and ensure Liberia’s readiness for competitive bidding on its first solar Independent Power Producer (IPP) project by October 2025.
This signals his administration’s commitment to energy sector reforms aimed at expanding access, improving efficiency, and attracting private sector investment.
Speaking on January 28 at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit of Heads of State, held in Tanzania, President Boakai highlighted the country’s significant strides in electricity access and efficiency.
According to him, the committee will also oversee preparations for the SP2 project, scheduled for November 2026. Adding, Over the past decade, electricity access in Liberia has grown from just 3% in 2012 to 33% today,” he noted. “Commercial losses have also been reduced to below 30%, a marked improvement from over 40% in 2022.”
He emphasized that, the significance of Mission 300 to Liberia’s national development priorities, particularly its alignment with the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development and the nation’s National Energy Compact.
President Boakai underscored the urgency of expanding energy access as a national priority and moral obligation. He outlined Liberia’s ambitious plan to electrify 100,000 households annually, aiming for a 75% access rate by 2030, while addressing urban-rural disparities through grid expansion and distributed renewable energy solutions.
“Access to reliable energy is the foundation upon which we can build thriving economies. It powers industries, supports education, and enhances healthcare. For countless communities, energy access means the difference between stagnation and growth, between despair and opportunity,” President Boakai stated.
President Boakai however, presented key initiatives like the development of the 150 MW Saint Paul 2 Hydropower Project, promotion of utility-scale solar PV projects led by private sector investment, and expansion of distributed renewable energy solutions to rural areas.
He also extended gratitude to the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group for their pivotal role in fostering partnerships and supporting energy initiatives across the continent.
“Together, we can empower every person in Africa with the energy they deserve, driving prosperity, fostering inclusion, and ensuring a sustainable future for all,” concluded President Boakai.
With the push for renewable energy, the upcoming solar IPP project is expected to be a milestone in Liberia’s efforts to diversify its energy mix, reduce dependency on expensive fossil fuels, and create a more sustainable power sector.
