Senator Konneh said that more than a decade since the law was enacted, there is little to no evidence of its enforcement.
Monrovia – Senator Amara Konneh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, has raised serious concerns over the government’s failure to enforce the provision of Section 4.4 of the Small Business Empowerment Act of 2014, which mandates that at least 25% of all public procurement for goods and services in the national budget be allocated to Liberian-owned Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
By Obediah Johnson
In a formal communication to the Senate, discussed during its regular session on Tuesday, June 24, Senator Konneh lamented that more than a decade since the law was enacted, there is little to no evidence of its enforcement.
He said the intent of the legislation is to increase local participation in the economy, stimulate domestic production, create employment, and help build a resilient Liberian private sector.
“A decade after its passage, there is insufficient data in the public domain to determine whether this provision is being enforced and if the intended beneficiaries—Liberian-owned businesses—are indeed gaining from public procurement opportunities,” Senator Konneh stated.
He called for a comprehensive review of the implementation of Section 4.4, including the convening of a public hearing to assess the level of compliance and to explore measures to strengthen enforcement.
Key Recommendations
Senator Konneh recommended that the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) be required to present a detailed report to the Senate outlining:
- The total value and percentage of public procurement awarded to Liberian-owned businesses over the past five fiscal years.
- A classification of beneficiary businesses by sector, size, and ownership.
- A list of compliant and non-compliant government entities.
- Mechanisms for tracking, verifying, and enforcing the 25% procurement requirement.
He also urged the Senate to invite key stakeholders to testify, including representatives from the MFDP, the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Liberian private sector organizations.
Senator Konneh emphasized the importance of identifying structural and policy barriers that hinder the full implementation of the law, and the need for potential legislative or regulatory reforms to ensure compliance, transparency, and fairness.
“This review and hearing will not only promote oversight and transparency in implementing this law but also reaffirm the Senate’s commitment to laws critical to empowering Liberian entrepreneurs to be participants—not spectators—in their own economy,” he asserted.
Senate Responds
Following Senator Konneh’s communication, the Plenary of the Liberian Senate, which is the body’s highest decision-making forum, has instructed its relevant committees to launch a formal investigation into the matter.
The investigation is expected to evaluate the current status of the Act’s implementation and make recommendations to ensure Liberian-owned businesses receive the economic support envisioned under the law.
