Natural Resources, Local Value & Sustainable Growth

The objective

Mining is again a major driver of Liberia's economic growth, while the country also possesses significant forest and agricultural resources. The national question is not simply whether resources are extracted, but whether extraction creates transparent public revenue, skilled Liberian work, competitive local suppliers and long-term value beyond the life of a concession.

The Weah 2029 programme would pursue responsible resource development with stronger domestic economic linkages.

Programme direction

Concession and licence administration should be transparent, predictable and technically competent. Publicly disclosable concession obligations, production information, payments and community commitments should be easier to track.

Local-content policy should focus on capabilities rather than unrealistic quotas: identify goods and services Liberian firms can competitively supply, establish qualification pathways, connect firms to finance and standards, and require major operators to publish supplier-development plans.

Government should actively evaluate opportunities for commercially viable processing and value addition in Liberia where power, transport, market scale and environmental standards support it. Environmental approvals, monitoring, mine closure and land rehabilitation should be enforced consistently.

What success should look like

More transparent resource revenue, more qualified Liberian suppliers and skilled workers in concession value chains, credible community obligations, enforceable environmental standards and a larger share of economic value retained in Liberia.