Monrovia – Small businesses in Liberia may soon get a boost in their bid to compete locally and internationally. The Liberia Special Economic Zones Authority (LSEZA) has announced plans to establish the country’s first Packaging Solutions Center, a facility designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) improve the presentation, preservation, and marketability of their products.
The initiative, to be called Liberia Packaging Solutions (LPS), is part of broader efforts by LSEZA to strengthen the competitiveness of local businesses and address one of their most persistent challenges — packaging.
Speaking at a one-day SME conference organized by the Authority under the theme “Unlocking Growth: Leveraging Special Economic Zones for SMEs Success,” LSEZA Executive Chairman Prince Wreh said the idea emerged after years of listening to entrepreneurs’ struggles.
“After years of hearing from SMEs about their challenges, one issue kept coming up — packaging,” Wreh said. “That is why we decided to explore the possibility of establishing a Liberia Packaging Solutions Center.”
According to Wreh, many Liberian businesses produce quality goods but struggle to compete because they lack access to modern packaging facilities. He disclosed that approximately US$672,000 has been allocated under Liberia’s Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP) in the 2026 national budget to fund the construction and setup of the facility, including equipment procurement.
“We want to ensure that Liberian businesses are not running between China, India, and Nigeria just for packaging,” Wreh added. “We want that service available here at home.” He said the management of the center will be outsourced to ensure professional service delivery.
The conference brought together government and business leaders, including representatives from the Liberia Standards Authority, Liberia Tourism Authority, Liberia Business Association, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Jane Cooper, Director General of the Liberia National Tourism Authority, said Liberia’s tourism and hospitality sector could benefit from improved infrastructure and investment linked to Special Economic Zones. She noted the country’s beaches, cultural heritage, and hospitality potential as assets that could be better marketed to attract growth.
“While economic development discussions often focus on large-scale investments and infrastructure projects, SMEs remain important drivers of economic activity,” Cooper said.
Officials say the Packaging Solutions Center is part of broader efforts to strengthen support systems for Liberian businesses and improve the competitiveness of locally produced goods in domestic and international markets.
