MONROVIA — While Guinea is pushing ahead with major mining and infrastructure agreements worth billions of dollars, questions are mounting over why Liberia, despite its rich natural resources, is struggling to attract more large-scale investments capable of creating jobs and transforming its economy.
The contrast presents an important challenge for President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration, which came to power promising economic transformation through its ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
At the centre of Guinea’s investment drive is the massive Simandou iron ore project, one of the world’s largest untapped high-grade iron ore deposits. The project involves international mining companies, railway construction and port development, creating opportunities beyond mineral extraction.
Although Simandou has a long history predating President Mamadi Doumbouya, his administration has continued pushing its implementation and presenting it as a major driver of Guinea’s economic future.
The World Bank reported that Guinea’s economy grew by 7.3 percent in 2025, largely supported by mining activities. Further growth is expected as Simandou advances.
Guinea’s strategy demonstrates how mineral resources can be used to negotiate major infrastructure partnerships. A 2017 framework agreement involving Chinese interests was reported to be worth up to US$20 billion in infrastructure cooperation. However, the headline value should not be mistaken for money already delivered or spent.
Liberia is not without major investment agreements. On December 19, 2025, the government signed a new long-term agreement with ArcelorMittal involving a reported US$1.8 billion expansion project. The company said its total investment in Liberia would reach US$3.5 billion.
The expansion includes a concentrator, railway improvements and port infrastructure. ArcelorMittal has also reported approximately 8,000 direct and indirect jobs associated with its Liberian operations, although the employment figures require independent verification.
The agreement shows that large-scale investment is possible in Liberia. However, one major mining expansion cannot replace a broader national investment strategy.
Why is Liberia not attracting comparable investment in agriculture, manufacturing, electricity, fisheries, tourism and industrial development?
Why are there not more agro-processing factories to turn locally produced rice, cassava and other agricultural products into finished goods?
What major international companies are negotiating to establish new businesses in Liberia?
And how many permanent jobs are these investments expected to create for Liberians?
Investors look beyond mineral deposits. They consider infrastructure, electricity, transportation, government transparency, regulatory stability and the ease of doing business.
Guinea’s Simandou project combines mining with railway and port development. Liberia, meanwhile, continues to face serious challenges involving unreliable electricity, poor roads, limited access to finance and bureaucratic difficulties.
The U.S. State Department’s investment climate assessment has identified corruption, weak transparency and regulatory problems as concerns affecting investor confidence in Liberia.
These problems did not begin with the Boakai administration. However, his government is responsible for showing what concrete measures it is taking to address them.
Liberia’s National Investment Commission must also explain what it is doing to compete for international investors and move investment discussions into actual projects.
The World Bank’s November 2026 Liberia Economic Update reported that the economy grew by 5.1 percent in 2025. Mining expanded by 17 percent, while agriculture grew by only 2.6 percent and manufacturing contracted by 2.8 percent.
These figures raise questions about the quality of economic growth and its impact on ordinary citizens.
A country cannot depend indefinitely on mineral exports while its manufacturing sector struggles and thousands of young people search for employment.
The government must show how it intends to turn investment into factories, agricultural businesses, electricity projects and sustainable employment.
President Boakai should explain what major new investment agreements his administration has negotiated since January 2024, how many have reached implementation and how many jobs they have created.
The government should also publish the value of new investments outside the mining sector and identify the companies involved, the projects underway and the benefits expected by Liberian communities.
Guinea should not be presented as a perfect investment destination. It faces its own governance and economic challenges. Liberia should learn from its efforts to connect mineral resources with infrastructure while ensuring that national interests are protected.
Liberia has iron ore, gold, diamonds, agricultural land, a coastline and access to regional markets. The country does not lack investment opportunities. The bigger question is whether its government has the economic strategy, institutional capacity and determination to turn those opportunities into jobs and national development.
As Guinea advances its investment programme, Liberians deserve to know what their government is negotiating, what it has secured and when ordinary citizens will begin to feel the benefits.
Where is Liberia’s next major investment deal, and where are the jobs?
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