-A Strategic Turning Point for Port Modernization in Liberia
The National Port Authority (NPA) of Liberia has taken a significant step toward transforming the country’s maritime sector through a landmark partnership with Tanger Med, Morocco’s renowned port development group. This agreement marks a pivotal shift in Liberia’s infrastructural trajectory, one that promises to bolster trade, enhance port efficiency, and generate sustainable employment for Liberians.
In its recent publication, the influential Moroccan magazine Moroc Diplomatique described the partnership as a quiet but game-changing move for Liberia’s economy. “This is a silent but strategic turning point for the Liberian economy: through the signature of a large-scale agreement with Tangier Med Engineering, a technical subsidiary of the Moroccan port group Tangier Med, Liberia is undertaking a profound transformation of its port infrastructure to rehabilitate its two major terminals — Monrovia and Buchanan — to align them with the logistics and technological standards of the 21st century,” the magazine reported.
The agreement comes at a time when the Boakai-led administration is pushing a comprehensive national agenda for inclusive development, known as ARREST. The port modernization deal aligns seamlessly with this vision. It is the product of months of meticulous planning, strategic negotiations, and shared ambitions between Liberia and Morocco — ambitions centered on port reform and economic revitalization.
Under the terms of the agreement, Tanger Med Engineering will provide a broad spectrum of technical expertise aimed at overhauling Liberia’s port infrastructure. Their intervention will focus on six core areas: modernization of port docks, renovation of container terminals, rehabilitation of warehouses, integration of smart logistics platforms, strengthening of port security systems, and adoption of environmentally friendly energy management solutions.
The Managing Director of the National Port Authority, Mr. Sekou Hussein Dukuly, hailed the deal as more than just an infrastructure initiative. “This agreement goes well beyond the scope of an infrastructure project. This is an instrument of economic transformation,” he emphasized. According to Mr. Dukuly, the collaboration is expected to stimulate sustainable job creation, attract significant foreign investment, and boost Liberia’s logistical independence.
In addition to the physical overhaul of port terminals, the NPA-Tanger Med partnership will pave the way for the digitization of port and customs procedures. This shift toward digital systems will result in improved processing of goods, streamlined transit times, and an overall increase in operational efficiency. These improvements are projected to position Liberia as a leading logistics hub within the sub-region, capable of serving landlocked neighbors such as Mali and Guinea. Moreover, the initiative lays the groundwork for strengthening intra-African trade, which remains underdeveloped despite immense potential.
The deal also builds on previous cooperation between Liberia and Morocco. Moroc Diplomatique noted that, “This new partnership is part of the continuity of a broader cooperation between Rabat and Monrovia. In November 2024, the NPA had already signed a protocol of agreement with Marsa Maroc for the exploitation of a multipurpose terminal in Monrovia and the complete rehabilitation of the port of Buchanan. This first milestone laid the foundations for a dynamic co-development structured around a public-private model, supported by a sharing of technical and institutional expertise. Collaboration with Tangier Med Engineering is now a strategic extension, consolidating Morocco’s role as a reference partner for African countries in search of a logistical upgrade.”
As Liberia takes steps to reposition itself on the regional logistics map, this partnership with Tanger Med may indeed become a cornerstone of its economic resurgence. It signals not only a modernization of facilities but also a modernization of ambition — one that could redefine Liberia’s role in West African commerce.
