-As Boakai Pushes Mining Reforms
By Jerromie S. Walters & Sampat JMB Kpakimah
Monrovia: A new report commissioned by Forest Trends has revealed a staggering $2.7 billion discrepancy between Liberia’s reported mineral exports and international records, as President Joseph Nyuma Boakai renews his administration’s push for sweeping reforms in the mining sector.
The rapid assessment, covering the period from 2007 to 2023, shows that while Liberia declared approximately $5.1 billion in mineral exports, importing countries recorded $7.8 billion—a gap raising serious concerns about smuggling, tax evasion, and weak regulatory oversight.
The findings come as President Boakai doubles down on efforts to strengthen state control over the nation’s natural resources. During the regular Friday press briefing on March 27, 2026, at the Executive Mansion, Press Secretary Atty. Fofana disclosed that the President has mandated a comprehensive reform strategy aimed at ensuring Liberia’s mineral resources are properly regulated, safeguarded, and managed in the best interest of the Liberian people.
According to the Press Secretary, this directive was emphasized by President Boakai at the opening session of the third Cabinet Meeting of 2026. The meeting, held under the theme “Positioning Liberia for Mineral-Led Development and National Prosperity: Governance, Growth, and Accountability in Liberia’s Mineral Sector,” brought together senior government officials to deliberate on critical policy initiatives.
These include the drafting of a new mining law, the finalization of gold refinery regulations, and broader reforms to strengthen governance within the sector.
Atty. Fofana noted that the President expressed serious concern about the lack of full transparency in the mining industry, warning that the government does not always have complete visibility over the scope of resource extraction—a concern sharply underscored by the Forest Trends report.
The President, through the Office of the Press Secretary, underscored that reform efforts must extend beyond policy frameworks to include building local capacity. He called for increased investment in training Liberians in key technical areas such as geology, mining engineering, and resource management, to strengthen national oversight and reduce dependence on foreign expertise.
Additionally, the President challenged Cabinet members to ensure that all decisions regarding natural resources prioritize the welfare of ordinary Liberians. He questioned whether current mining activities are translating into tangible benefits for citizens across the country—a question amplified by the report’s findings that affected communities are missing out on significant funds.
According to the assessment, out of more than $173 million expected from mining companies, only about $119 million had been paid by 2023, with additional amounts either unaccounted for or diverted through county structures instead of reaching local communities.
Environmental protection also featured prominently in the President’s remarks. Concerns such as water pollution and land degradation, Atty. Fofana reported, were highlighted as urgent issues requiring stronger regulatory enforcement within a reformed mining framework. The report similarly points to rising deforestation, water pollution, and hazardous chemical spills linked to mining activities, with over two million hectares of forest now overlapping with mining licenses.
Reflecting on past concession agreements, the President acknowledged that some did not yield the expected infrastructure development or national benefits. However, he made it clear that his Administration is committed to a new direction.
“We’re not going to say this is how we met it, and this is how it is going to be forever,” the President stated.
The Press Secretary further conveyed that the President emphasized the importance of maintaining investor confidence by balancing reform efforts with adherence to legitimate agreements, thereby ensuring a stable and conducive business environment.
Drawing on international experience, the President urged Cabinet members to adopt global best practices in resource governance, positioning Liberia’s mining sector as a key driver of sustainable economic growth.
He also raised concerns about weak accountability at the local level, cautioning that insufficient oversight can lead to illegal mining and unauthorized activities.
The Forest Trends report warns that growing tensions between mining companies and local communities could escalate into conflict if not addressed. It calls for urgent reforms, including improved transparency, stronger enforcement of community payments, better environmental monitoring, and a national land-use plan to balance mining, forests, and community interests—aligning closely with the President’s stated reform agenda.
