-Issues a 90-day notice, But…
By Jerromie S. Walters
MONROVIA – The Liberian government has initiated the process of reclaiming the historic Hotel Africa complex, with officials uncertain of confirming plans to prepare the prime property for foreign investment. The move comes with a strict 90-day eviction notice for all current occupants, as authorities also work to clear decades of encroachment on the valuable land.
Kweshie Tetteh, Director of Communications and Outreach at the Liberia Land Authority (LLA), confirmed to this paper Sunday, May 25, 2025, the government’s intentions for the site. “Of course government say they have interest in the place,” Tetteh stated. “Investors are coming to take over the place but you cannot have people encroaching on the land and leave it like that to give it to investors. So government has to take seize of the property and make sure it’s in readiness for investment.”
While Tetteh acknowledged investor interest, he deferred questions about specific development plans to the Ministry of State. “The aspect of foreign investors taking the place or coming to take over the property. That is squarely with the Ministry of States. Our part that I want to officially speak to is that the land is a government land. It is owned by the government. People encroaching on it we will make sure that we get it back from them and get it prepared for any future investment.”
Crackdown on Illegal Occupancy
The LLA official detailed the process leading to the eviction notice, revealing that authorities had previously placed a moratorium on land transactions in the area. “We placed a moratorium on people encroaching on wet lands,” Tetteh explained. “Dealers have been illegally selling the land to Hotel Africa citizens so we placed a moratorium and we informed the public that anybody that have acquired properties on the hotel Africa or in lease agreement with any other person they should come to the Land Authority and submit those documents for technical verification.”
According to Tetteh, the 90-day notice represents the next phase of enforcement after the moratorium failed to produce results. “With the three months, nobody came so this is the next action,” he said. When pressed about the potential demolition of existing structures, Tetteh remained noncommittal, stating that decisions would be made by a technical team. “The technical team will come up with a decision,” he said. “Whether demolition or whether they will compensate people who had properties there I can’t speak to that.”
The Mandate:
The Liberian government has announced plans to reclaim control of the historic Hotel Africa property and its surrounding facilities, issuing a 90-day eviction notice to all current occupants. The affected properties include the landmark Unity Conference Center, an adjacent golf course, and several colonial-era villas that have become home to residents and businesses over the years.
Authorities have instructed all individuals and enterprises operating on the premises to vacate the area within three months or present legal documentation justifying their continued presence. The Liberia Land Authority (LLA), the government agency overseeing land administration, has mandated that leaseholders and business owners submit copies of their deeds or rental agreements for verification at its offices on Ashmun and Gurley Streets in Monrovia.
Once a symbol of Liberia’s post-independence prosperity, the Hotel Africa complex has fallen into disrepair in recent decades following years of civil unrest and economic decline. The government’s decision to reclaim the property has raised questions about its future use, with speculation ranging from potential redevelopment to privatization for commercial investment or simply to have the property under government control.
Locals Concern
Local business owners and residents expressed concern about the sudden displacement order, with many uncertain about relocation options. “We’ve operated here for years without issue,” said Emmanuel Johnson, a restaurant owner near the golf course. “The government needs to explain what happens next.”
The LLA has urged cooperation but has not indicated whether exceptions or extensions will be granted in special cases. The coming weeks will likely see increased activity as residents and businesses scramble to either legitimize their claims or find alternative arrangements.
