Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
Editor’s Note: During the first Trump Administration, Dr. J. Peter Pham served as the first-ever U.S. Special Envoy for the Sahel Region of Africa with the personal rank of Ambassador from 2020-2021. He previously served as the US Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa from 2018-2020. It is expected based on media reports that he will rejoin the new Trump Administration.
In a powerful letter to the Daily Observer, Dr. J. Peter Pham, Chairman of High Power Exploration (HPX) and a former U.S. Ambassador and Special Envoy to the Sahel and Great Lakes Region in Africa, has issued a stark warning to Liberia: the country’s economic future is at risk if it fails to embrace a multiuser rail system. Pham, who also serves as an advisor to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on African affairs, commended President Joseph Boakai’s vision for equitable rail access but accused certain government officials of undermining this vision in favor of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s (AML) push for exclusive control of the Yekepa-Buchanan railway. His letter challenges Liberia’s leadership to choose between billions in potential revenue and the stranglehold of a corporate monopoly—a choice that will define the nation’s trajectory for decades.
A Strategic Infrastructure at a Crossroads
The Yekepa-Buchanan railway is a vital piece of infrastructure, connecting the country’s mineral-rich interior to the port of Buchanan. For decades, AML has controlled the railway under agreements that provided no third-party access. Now, with Liberia’s mining sector poised for growth, the debate over the rail’s future has reached a boiling point.
President Boakai’s Executive Order 136 established the National Railway Authority (NRA) to ensure transparency and equitable access to the railway. The order envisioned a multiuser system that would generate significant revenue for Liberia while fostering competition. However, Dr. Pham’s letter alleges that certain government officials are sabotaging this vision by siding with AML’s efforts to maintain control. “Certain government officials have effectively sabotaged the President’s vision… aligning themselves behind his back to a model where one Indian-owned company, ArcelorMittal, continues to monopolize the rail,” he wrote.
The Economic Promise of Multiuser Access
HPX, a U.S.-backed company, has proposed a multiuser rail model that would generate over $1.6 billion in rail user fees for Liberia over the next 25 years. This revenue, derived from a $2.10 per tonne access fee, would go directly to the government, funding critical infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and other public services.
The potential doesn’t stop there. A multiuser system would unlock opportunities for new mining ventures, creating jobs and diversifying Liberia’s economy. HPX plans to export 30 million tonnes of iron ore annually through the railway, a move that could position Liberia as a regional economic hub.
By contrast, AML’s push for exclusivity would limit access to the rail, reducing the number of users and, consequently, the revenue potential for Liberia. Dr. Pham pointed to the success of similar multiuser systems in Africa, such as the Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor. This U.S.-backed rail project connects Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia, and has attracted $6 billion in investment. “This is the model of integrated development that has been pursued with great success elsewhere in Africa,” Pham noted, urging Liberia to follow suit.
A Monopoly with a Troubling Track Record
Allowing AML to retain control of the railway comes with significant risks. The company’s history of managing the rail system raises serious questions about its capacity and priorities. According to AML’s 2023 annual report, its rail operations have been plagued by inefficiencies and financial losses. Yet, the proposed third amendment to AML’s Mineral Development Agreement would grant the company even greater control, including the authority to determine who can access the railway and under what conditions.
This exclusivity has already led to conflicts, such as the ongoing dispute with Solway Mining Incorporated. Solway sought to develop its iron ore project but was effectively blocked by AML, which bypassed negotiations and paid the license fee directly to the government. This action resulted in a $50 million arbitration claim against Liberia and serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of monopolistic control.
Dr. Pham’s letter also pointed out AML’s “shabby safety records,” which further undermine its case for exclusivity. “By allowing ArcelorMittal to continue to control the system… malign actors are undercutting President Boakai’s Executive Order 136 and gifting Liberia’s autonomy to a corporate entity,” he wrote.
Economic and Geopolitical Stakes
Dr. Pham’s perspective carries significant weight, not only because of his role as HPX Chairman but also as an incoming advisor to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on African affairs. His letter highlighted the geopolitical importance of Liberia’s decision, framing the multiuser rail model as a way to strengthen the country’s historic ties with the United States.
“Given this long-standing economic development partnership and history with Liberia, I assume that Liberia supports the strategic and economic interests of the United States, most especially when they clearly align with Liberia’s own economic interests,” Pham stated.
For Liberia, the decision isn’t just about rail access — it’s about the country’s place on the global economic stage. A multiuser rail system would attract reputable investors and align with international best practices, while also demonstrating Liberia’s commitment to transparency and equitable resource management.
Meanwhile, President Boakai’s vision for a multiuser railway is more than a policy decision — it’s a blueprint for Liberia’s economic future. However, turning this vision into reality requires bold leadership and a steadfast commitment to national interests. The NRA, established under Executive Order 136, must take the lead in ensuring that the railway serves all stakeholders rather than being monopolized by one corporation.
Pham’s letter to the Daily Observer is a wake-up call for Liberia’s leadership and its people. The debate over the Yekepa-Buchanan railway is about more than infrastructure — it’s about who controls Liberia’s future. The decisions made today will shape the country for decades, determining whether it can unlock its full economic potential or remain tethered to corporate monopolies.
Could the choice before Liberia be any clearer? A multiuser rail system offers billions in revenue, increased foreign investment, and a chance to build a competitive economy. It is a model that has succeeded elsewhere in Africa and one that aligns with President Boakai’s vision for equitable development. The alternative — granting AML exclusive control — risks perpetuating inefficiency, stifling competition, and limiting Liberia’s economic growth.
Liberia’s rail system is its economic runway. It can either remain under the control of one company, limiting access and opportunities, or it can be opened up to multiple users, fueling growth and prosperity for the entire nation. The choice is in the hands of Liberia’s leaders, but the consequences will be felt by its people for generations to come.
Click here to access the letter.
