Lawrence Yealue’s address was a call to Liberian entrepreneurs to prioritize customer service, emphasizing it as a key factor for staying competitive.
Ganta, Nimba County– The Growth Accelerator Liberia Programme, an initiative aimed at supporting impactful Liberia Micro Small and Medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and Agricultural cooperatives with technical assistance, coaching and mentorship and co-financing grant, concluded its latest workshop series in Ganta, Nimba County, with a focus on enhancing customer relations as a cornerstone of sustainable business growth.
Accountability Lab Liberia Country Director, Lawrence Yealue, speaking at the start of the workshop highlighted the importance of building robust customer relationships, pointing out that businesses in Liberia often struggle to compete due to insufficient focus on customer service.
“You will do your businesses, and you don’t focus on customer relationships, which is the worst part of our business environment”.
Mr. Yealue emphasized that many Liberian businesses are losing competitive grounds to international service providers, particularly in industries such as catering, where foreign companies frequently dominate due to superior customer service standards.
His encouraged participants to prioritize meaningful customer engagement as an essential strategy for growth.
Lawrence Yealue’s address was a call to Liberian entrepreneurs to prioritize customer service, emphasizing it as a key factor for staying competitive. “Every time we somehow raise the argument nationally, the biggest argument that comes back is that we don’t have the people dialogue. The question now is, what customer services do you have?”
He noted that Liberian businesses can only compete with international companies if they focus on delivering high-quality, customer-centered services. He urged business owners to reconsider their approach to customer relations, viewing it not as an add-on but as an integral part of their business strategy.
iCampus CEO, Luther D. Jeke, also outlined the importance of the Growth Accelerator Liberia Programme to Liberia MSMEs and it’s impactful across the country in the last four years. He encouraged the cohort IV finalists to keep the passion, dedication and zeal to scale and growth their businesses that will trigger the employment of other youths, women and persons with disabilities within their ventures which will contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable livelihood.
The two-day workshop represented the cohort four of the Growth Accelerator Liberia Programme, a flagship initiative of UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Forestry Development Authority, the European Union Delegation to Liberia, the Swedish Embassy in Monrovia, Accountability Lab Liberia and iCampus Liberia.
The programme is part of an ongoing effort to bolster Liberian businesses by equipping them with critical skills in customer service, supply chain optimization, marketing, and brand-building.
Through technical assistance, mentorship, training, and co-financing, the program seeks to foster a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem within Liberia.
The event unfolded over two days, packed with energetic sessions and dynamic exchanges. Participants included a diverse group of MSMEs and Agricultural cooperatives, each aiming to overcome unique business challenges. The workshops were specifically tailored to address the differing needs of the businesses.
The first day of the workshops introduced participants to the fundamental aspects of business growth, such as supply chain management, customer service excellence, and market linkages. Each session provided entrepreneurs with hands-on learning experiences, encouraging them to actively explore strategies for improving their operations.
For MSMEs, topics ranged from production and distribution to creating value in customer interactions. Meanwhile, agricultural cooperatives focused on marketing and branding, as well as exploring new fundraising and investment opportunities. The topics aimed to support each group in building practical skills that directly impact their day-to-day business activities.
Day two of the training emphasized teamwork and collaboration, which encouraged entrepreneurs to work together to tackle shared challenges. The two day workshop however left lasting impact on all of the participants.
Reflecting on the knowledge acquired from the workshops, Sandra Perkins Lighe CEO of Zagg Natural, shared the value of the “Product Journey” exercise, describing how it has reshaped her approach to business. “We were able to understand fully what product journey is and how we can improve on our different products and services,” she stated, highlighting the importance of aligning customer needs with the product life cycle.
Lighe expressed pride in Liberia’s potential in the agricultural sector, encouraging female entrepreneurs to bring Liberian products to the world stage.
The Growth Accelerator Liberia Programme’s workshops are only one part of its mission to empower entrepreneurs across the country. The programme also provides co-financing opportunities, technical assistance, and training to select businesses. This year, from a pool of semi-finalists who pitched their business proposals before a panel of seasoned experts, 20 businesses emerged as winners.
Participants competed in categories offering grants of $10,000, $20,000, and $40,000 USD, based on business viability, profitability, and socio-economic impact. For example, eight businesses, including Ma. Lude Business Incorporated and West Africa Ranch Company, secured $20,000 grants. Each winning business receives ongoing support in the form of mentorship and business development training, helping them navigate the challenges of scaling in Liberia’s competitive market environment.
The winners represent a diverse range of industries, from agro-ventures like Tusa Farm and Mammie Sondah Agroventures to medical and service-based enterprises such as Den-Vera Medical Laboratory and Clinics and JoJo’s Glam House of Fashion. Each business has demonstrated a commitment to innovation and growth, with plans to create jobs and drive economic development within Liberia.
