By Stephen G. Fellajuah
Monrovia, Liberia, February 27, 2026 — A Liberian entrepreneur has highlighted the importance of sustained technical intervention and strong private sector investment to accelerate national development and improve citizens’ living standards. She described Liberia’s economic transformation as gradual but entirely achievable.
Speaking during an interview at her office in Monrovia on February 26, 2026, Madam Tenneh Johnson Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of Crown Group of Companies, said the country’s path toward middle-income status depends on robust private sector participation, supported by enabling government policies.
“Private sector investment cannot be overstated,” Madam Nelson said. “When the country is moving, you see it clearly in the service industry. The service market is booming and, in many cases, working up to 24 hours daily.”
While acknowledging that Liberia has not yet reached its desired economic destination, she expressed optimism about steady progress. “We are not there yet, but it is a gradual process. I know that we will get there. We are involved in various private sector groupings, and with experiences across the country, we will get there,” she assured.
Madam Nelson noted that several development projects are underway nationwide but identified access to finance as a major constraint for Liberian-owned businesses. Although she commended banks for extending loans to local enterprises, she raised concerns about high interest rates and short repayment timelines.
“We appreciate the banks for giving out loans to Liberian businesses, even though the interest rates are high,” she said. “However, the one-month period to begin repayment needs to be adjusted because importing goods takes at least three months, which puts unnecessary stress on businesses.”
She also cited electricity supply as a persistent challenge. While acknowledging recent improvements by the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), Madam Nelson said unreliable power continues to increase operational costs for businesses.
Turning to public sector reforms, Madam Nelson welcomed the impact of the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) electronic government procurement (e-GP) system, which has expanded access to public contracts for Liberian companies while promoting transparency and accountability.
In recent years, more than 400 Liberian businesses have registered on the e-GP platform, enabling them to view and bid for government contracts. By late 2025, the system had facilitated 92 contracts valued at over US$29 million, with at least US$12 million confirmed awarded to Liberian-registered firms.
Under current government policy, 25 percent of public procurement opportunities are reserved for Liberian-owned businesses, with an additional 5 percent earmarked for women-owned enterprises. The PPCC continues to conduct awareness and capacity-building workshops, including partnerships with the Liberian Business Association (LIBA), to help firms effectively use the e-GP system.
Beyond procurement reforms, Liberia is promoting investment through Special Economic Zones, including the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) and the Monrovia Free Zone, which offer tax and trade incentives to spur manufacturing, agro-processing, and export-oriented growth.
For Madam Nelson, the path forward is clear: with the right technical support, inclusive policies, and sustained private investment, Liberia can steadily transform its economy and secure a more prosperous future for its people.
