MONROVIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on Friday, July 3, 2026, officially launched construction of the Extension of the Japan Freeway, describing the US$16 million Japanese-funded project as a strategic investment that will strengthen Liberia’s economy, improve transportation, and advance his administration’s infrastructure agenda.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony at the Freeport of Monrovia, President Boakai said the 1.9-kilometer extension from the Freeport of Monrovia to the Gabriel Tucker Bridge represents one of the country’s most economically significant road corridors despite its relatively short distance.
According to the President, the project will improve the movement of goods and people, reduce traffic congestion, enhance road safety, and provide a lasting solution to the persistent flooding that has affected the corridor for years.
“This road is the lifeline of Liberia’s economy,” President Boakai declared. “It connects the nation’s principal seaport to the capital city and facilitates the daily movement of commerce, goods, and citizens. Modernizing this corridor will strengthen economic activity, improve mobility, reduce travel time, and enhance the lives of thousands of Liberians.”
The project, valued at approximately 2.7 billion Japanese Yen, equivalent to about US$16 million, is being fully financed through a grant from the Government of Japan, underscoring what Boakai described as the enduring partnership between Liberia and Japan.
The President expressed profound appreciation to the Government and people of Japan for decades of development assistance, noting that Japanese support has extended beyond road infrastructure to include investments in ports, healthcare, education, agriculture, food security, and human capacity development.
He observed that the road, once widely known as Somalia Drive, was renamed the Japan Freeway following its reconstruction with Japanese assistance, describing the new name as a lasting symbol of the strong diplomatic and development ties between the two countries.
President Boakai also highlighted the project’s anticipated economic benefits, announcing that construction is expected to generate approximately 175 jobs for Liberians while creating additional opportunities for local businesses, transport operators, suppliers, and service providers.
He said the project aligns directly with his administration’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which identifies modern infrastructure as a cornerstone of economic transformation, private sector expansion, employment creation, and improved public service delivery.
“Our Government remains fully committed to expanding and modernizing Liberia’s transportation network through strategic partnerships with development partners and the private sector,” Boakai emphasized.
The Liberian leader praised the Ministry of Public Works for steering the project from planning to implementation and encouraged the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Dai Nippon Construction Co., Ltd., and Eight-Japan Engineering Consultants Inc. to maintain the strong collaboration that has characterized the initiative.
Acknowledging that construction activities may temporarily inconvenience residents and motorists, President Boakai appealed for public patience and cooperation throughout the implementation period.
The groundbreaking follows the launch of two other major road projects announced by the Boakai administration over the past three months, including a 255-kilometer road network in western Liberia and the Mendikorma-Voinjama Highway in northwestern Liberia. The administration says these investments form part of a broader strategy to expand national infrastructure, improve connectivity, stimulate economic growth, and unlock development opportunities across the country.
Concluding the ceremony, President Boakai officially declared the Extension of the Japan Freeway Project launched, reaffirming Liberia’s gratitude to Japan for what he described as a longstanding partnership that continues to contribute significantly to the country’s development aspirations.
