MONROVIA, May 8, 2026 — The National Port Authority (NPA) has commenced installation of Liberia’s first Automatic Digital Gate System at the Freeport of Monrovia, a major modernization initiative aimed at strengthening port security, reducing congestion, improving revenue collection, and accelerating cargo movement at the country’s main maritime gateway.
According to the NPA, the project is being implemented through a competitive procurement process conducted under the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) framework.
Authorities said the contract was awarded under RFP No. NPA/QCBS/003/2025, issued on February 25, 2025, and publicly advertised in FrontPage Africa newspaper in compliance with national procurement regulations.
The Authority disclosed that the digital gate system will introduce facial recognition technology for pedestrians and Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology for vehicles entering and exiting the port.
Once operational, the system will electronically record all movements through the port gates, providing enhanced monitoring, tighter access control, and improved audit and security oversight.
NPA officials said the initiative is intended to minimize unnecessary human contact at entry points, speed up gate clearance procedures, and reduce long-standing delays affecting cargo transportation and port operations.
Authorities further revealed that work on the port’s perimeter fencing is ongoing alongside the gate installation project, as part of broader efforts to strengthen compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
The modernization effort, according to the NPA, is expected to improve operational efficiency and address revenue leakages historically associated with manual clearance procedures.
Officials noted that digitized transactions and automated records will create a more transparent and accountable system that can improve service delivery and enhance confidence in Liberia’s port sector.
The NPA added that the first phase of the project is expected to be completed and dedicated by the end of May 2026.
The installation of the digital gate system marks one of the most significant technological upgrades at the Freeport of Monrovia in recent years and forms part of the government’s broader push to modernize Liberia’s maritime infrastructure and improve the country’s competitiveness in regional and international trade.
