By Lewis S. Teh
MONROVIA, July 30, 2026 — Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has called on the Boakai administration to strengthen business integrity and improve investor confidence, arguing that transparent governance is essential to attracting legitimate investment while discouraging criminal enterprises.
Speaking Wednesday at the opening of the two-day National Conference on Women’s Financial Inclusion in Congo Town, Sirleaf said Liberia must build a reputation that inspires confidence among reputable investors and international partners.
“We have to build confidence in all aspects of our national endeavors,” Sirleaf said. “Otherwise, we might have bad business like those drug people who are coming here. We have to build that confidence.”
Her remarks come as Liberian authorities continue investigating one of the country’s largest suspected cocaine seizures, valued at more than US$300 million.
Sirleaf said strong institutions, transparency, accountability, and predictable governance are critical to creating an investment climate that attracts credible businesses, financial institutions, and development partners.
According to the former president, building public confidence will encourage legitimate investors to create jobs, expand financial services, and contribute to economic growth while helping to keep criminal networks out of the country.
The conference brought together government officials, financial institutions, development partners, and women entrepreneurs to explore ways of expanding women’s access to credit, savings, insurance, and other financial services.
Sirleaf emphasized that women’s financial inclusion is central to sustainable economic development, noting that empowering women with greater access to financial resources strengthens families, businesses, and the national economy.
She also commended organizers for convening the conference and urged the government, private sector, and development partners to deepen collaboration in creating an enabling environment for businesses and entrepreneurs.
Her comments add to the growing national discussion on improving Liberia’s investment climate while strengthening measures to combat drug trafficking and other forms of transnational organized crime.
