By Amos Harris
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Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry, Hon. Stephen Yekeson, has reaffirmed the Government of Liberia’s commitment to strengthening domestic manufacturing, promoting industrial development, and cultivating an enabling environment for private-sector investment following a high-level tour of the Monrovia Industrial Park in Gardnersville Township, Montserrado County.
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Accompanied by the Ministry’s principal leadership team, Minister Yekeson’s visit aimed to deepen government engagement with local manufacturers and gain firsthand insight into ongoing industrial operations, production capacity, and opportunities for industrial expansion.
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The delegation included Hon. Tarnue N. Jeke, Deputy Minister for Administration; Hon. Andrew G. Paygar-Flangiah, Deputy Minister for Industry; Hon. Wilmot A. Reeves, Deputy Minister for Commerce and Trade; and Hon. Benedict Amos Dolo, Deputy Minister for Small Business Administration. Their joint participation highlighted the Ministry’s coordinated approach toward advancing industrial growth and supporting commercial enterprises across all sectors.
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During the tour, the delegation visited several key manufacturing facilities operating within the industrial park, including the Liberia Paper Products & Carton Factory, Inc., Sethi Brothers, and FOUANI Brothers Corporation, which operates multi-sector production lines for biscuits, refined salt, soap, and corrugated packaging.
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The visit provided ministry officials with a comprehensive view of the manufacturing activities driving Liberia’s productive economy. These enterprises play a critical role in supplying essential household items, processed foods, and packaging materials to consumers and commercial clients nationwide.
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Furthermore, these industrial facilities highlight the potential of domestic manufacturing to curb Liberia’s reliance on imported finished goods by boosting local production, encouraging value addition, and building resilient domestic supply chains. Expanding these operations promises to generate new economic avenues for local entrepreneurs, skilled workers, and small businesses linked to the manufacturing ecosystem.
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Beyond inspecting production facilities, the tour underscored the vital need for continuous dialogue between state authorities and private-sector operators. Through regular consultation, the Ministry aims to address operational challenges facing manufacturers while formulating policies that spur investment, boost factory productivity, and accelerate industrial scale-up.
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Industrialization remains a cornerstone of economic diversification, job creation, and heightened private-sector engagement in Liberia. A robust manufacturing base directly generates employment, stimulates commercial activity, strengthens small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and improves the availability of locally made goods in the domestic market.
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The Ministry’s proactive outreach directly aligns with the economic priorities of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr.’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), which places strong emphasis on private-sector-driven economic growth and inclusive national development.
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Reiterating its commitment to working alongside existing manufacturers, prospective investors, and Liberian entrepreneurs, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry pledged to maintain a business-friendly environment conducive to long-term industrial growth and national prosperity.
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