Liberia Seeks Mining Investment -Mines Minister Pitches Liberia to Investors at UNGA

MONROVIA – Liberia’s Mines and Energy Minister has carried a blunt message to American investors: no data, no deal. Speaking in New York, R. Matenokay Tingban said the country cannot bargain well over minerals it has not properly mapped. He pointed to signs of new, possibly strategic minerals beyond iron ore, gold and diamonds. But he conceded that detailed geological work must still come first. His pitch also exposed a deeper constraint. Without reliable, affordable power, Liberia cannot process what it mines, and value addition remains out of reach. The government says it now wants practical deals, not more talk. Whether investors follow through will depend largely on data, roads and electricity, as THE ANALYST reports.

The Minister of Mines and Energy, R. Matenokay Tingban, has called for increased private-sector investment in Liberia’s mineral and energy sectors.

Speaking in New York, according to a Ministry release dated September 22, 2026, he stressed the need for reliable geological data, infrastructure and practical partnerships to turn Liberia’s natural resource potential into tangible economic opportunity for its people.

Minister Tingban made the remarks during a fireside interview at the University Club in New York, moderated by author and former CBS News correspondent Jacqueline Adams. Adams spent more than two decades as a CBS News correspondent and has also worked as a communications strategist.

The engagement was part of a government-led effort to showcase Liberia’s progress, mineral potential and investment opportunities across the mining, energy and other productive sectors. It was followed by a question-and-answer session with U.S.-based investors, business leaders and other stakeholders interested in opportunities in Liberia, particularly in its mineral resources and related industries.

Tingban, a mining engineer and former member of the House of Representatives, took office as Minister in November 2025, succeeding Wilmot J. M. Paye. The Ministry’s release did not name the investors who took part in the session.

From Theory to Practice

During the discussion, the Minister said Liberia is seeking to move from prolonged discussion to practical action that can deliver measurable benefits to ordinary Liberians.

“We want to graduate from theory to practicality,” he said, stressing that the country must take concrete steps to unlock its natural resources, attract investment, create jobs, expand infrastructure and strengthen the national economy.

“No Data, No Deal”

According to Tingban, Liberia has significant mineral potential beyond its traditional iron ore, gold and diamond resources. He said recent geochemical work has identified indications of additional mineral resources, including minerals of potential strategic importance.

However, he stressed that detailed geological studies are required to determine the location, quantity, quality and commercial viability of those resources.

“No data, no deal,” the Minister said, explaining that reliable geoscientific data is essential if Liberia is to make informed decisions and negotiate mineral development agreements from a position of knowledge.

The government’s immediate priority, he said, is therefore to generate comprehensive geological data using modern technology.

That data, according to the Minister, will help Liberia identify its mineral resources more accurately, reduce investment risk, attract serious investors and ensure that the country receives appropriate value from its natural resources.

“Once we generate the data, we know exactly what to discuss when we get to the table,” he said. Reliable information, he added, will also help the government determine which resources should be developed and under what conditions.

Mines Need Roads, Rails, Ports

The Minister further explained that mineral development must be supported by adequate infrastructure, particularly roads, railways, ports and other transportation systems linking mines to markets.

He described an integrated approach in which mineral production, transportation, ports and international markets work together to support investment and economic growth.

Power for Value Addition

Turning to the energy sector, Tingban highlighted Liberia’s significant potential for solar and hydropower development. Reliable, accessible and affordable electricity, he said, is critical to industrialization, mineral processing, value addition and broader economic development.

He pointed to ongoing and proposed renewable energy and hydropower initiatives as opportunities for private investment, noting that Liberia’s current electricity generation capacity remains below the country’s potential demand. The release did not give figures for current capacity or name the projects involved.

The country cannot fully benefit from its mineral wealth, he argued, without reliable and affordable energy to support processing and other downstream activities.

“We need value addition, and how do we sustain value addition without stable, affordable and accessible power?” Minister Tingban asked, underscoring the close link between the mining and energy sectors.

An Open Invitation

Tingban encouraged investors to view Liberia as a country with significant opportunities in mineral exploration, energy, infrastructure and related industries.

He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to engaging investors and facilitating discussions that can lead to practical, long-term investment partnerships.

The Minister said he hopes engagements such as the University Club fireside discussion will lead to concrete investment interest and greater investor participation in Liberia.

“We are inviting investment into Liberia,” he said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to creating the conditions necessary for responsible investment and sustainable resource development.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy said it remains committed to advancing responsible mineral development, expanding access to reliable energy, generating quality geological data and attracting investment.

Its stated goal is to ensure that Liberia’s natural resources contribute to infrastructure development, job creation, economic growth and improved livelihoods for Liberians.