The Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) is facing mounting scrutiny as reports emerge that its top management is backing Zoomlion, a Ghanaian waste management company once banned by the World Bank for corruption, to resume operations in Liberia’s sanitation sector.
The development has sparked backlash from Liberians, especially civil society actors, and political leaders who argue that Zoomlion’s return could undermine transparency, public trust, and local job creation.
Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group, was debarred in September 2013 for two years by the World Bank after admitting to paying bribes to expedite contracts under the Emergency Monrovia Urban Sanitation Project.
The ban stopped Zoomlion from participating in any World Bank-financed projects in Liberia and was part of a Negotiated Resolution Agreement, in which the company acknowledged misconduct and pledged reforms.
At the time, the World Bank said Zoomlion’s actions compromised accountability and effective service delivery in Liberia’s already fragile sanitation system.
Despite its controversial history, Zoomlion is on the verge of a return as MCC officials are reported working undercover to ensure that the company wins a contract in the country. Zoomlion executives, according to sources, were spotted in Monrovia earlier this year, reportedly holding closed-door meetings with senior MCC officials and other government authorities.
Liberia is currently embroiled in a contentious $210 million waste management contract that has generated significant debate. The selection process has drawn criticism for excluding Liberian-owned companies and favoring Zoomlion, which has faced previous corruption allegations.
Opponents caution that this arrangement could result in the loss of jobs for Liberians and diminish control over the country’s development. On the contrary, proponents, especially at the MCC, argue that the decision is driven by considerations of capacity and efficiency. The key issue at hand is the allocation of control in this crucial sector—whether it should be managed by foreign entities or local companies.
“With the help of MCC, the company is actively seeking new waste management contracts,” a source told the Daily Observer.”
The timing of this push comes amid Liberia’s deepening waste management crisis. Monrovia, a city of more than one million people, collects only 350 tons of waste daily, less than one-third of its total production. The gap has left garbage piling up in streets, drainage systems, and waterways, triggering health and environmental hazards.
“Liberia’s waste crisis demands urgent solutions,” said one environmental policy expert. “But it also demands integrity. Allowing a company with a proven record of corruption back into the system is risky and potentially counterproductive.”
Waste management isn’t just about clean streets. It’s about jobs. It’s about governance. It’s about dignity and accountability, he said.
Liberian-owned sanitation companies have expressed strong opposition to Zoomlion’s re-entry, accusing the government of sidelining domestic firms in favor of foreign corporations with questionable track records.
Officials at the Liberia Business Association say awarding contracts to Zoomlion would threaten livelihoods in a country where unemployment is estimated at 85%.
Other business leaders have threatened legal action, signaling the possibility of a class-action lawsuit against MCC if contracts are awarded to Zoomlion.
Environmentalists and civil society groups argue that Liberia risks repeating past mistakes if Zoomlion is brought back into its waste management sector.
“It would be a sad mistake for the government to hire a company that used bribery as a business strategy,” an environmental activist told reporters. “A company that cuts corners to secure contracts will likely cut corners in service delivery.”
Analysts further caution that waste management, if managed transparently, has the potential to generate revenue through recycling, waste-to-energy projects, and other byproducts. However, they warn that corruption could drain potential profits while worsening public health hazards.
Zoom Lion’s Dubious Activities in Ghana
Zoomlion’s reputation remains equally divisive in Ghana, where it has long faced allegations of fraudulent billing, non-delivery of services, and mistreatment of sanitation workers.
The company has a bad track record back home. In June 2025, former Ghanaian President John Mahama announced that the long-standing Youth Employment Agency (YEA)–Zoomlion contract would not be renewed, citing concerns over transparency and fair compensation for workers.
Ghana’s Auditor-General has also repeatedly flagged Zoomlion for overbilling and fraudulent invoicing. Despite receiving tens of millions of dollars in payments, the company has faced accusations of failing to pay frontline workers on time.
Several Liberian lawmakers have openly condemned attempts to bring Zoomlion back, mainly Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe described the company’s return as “a dangerous precedent” and warned it could undermine public procurement transparency.
Acknowledging his colleague’s stance, Lofa County Senator Momo T. Cyrus opposed as well, calling it a “foreign-controlled deal involving exploitative companies like Zoomlion.”
For now, MCC and Paynesville City Corporation have declined to confirm or deny negotiations with Zoomlion, saying only that “all procurement processes will follow established guidelines.”
But critics remain skeptical, pointing to Liberia’s history of weak oversight and backdoor deals.
“Zoomlion’s attempted resurgence reflects a broader problem: foreign firms with track records of corruption waiting out sanctions only to return through political influence,” Stewart noted. “The question is not whether Zoomlion can solve Liberia’s waste problem, but who is allowing them back and why.”
As Monrovia struggles with its worsening sanitation crisis, the debate over Zoomlion’s comeback highlights a critical dilemma: how to address urgent waste challenges without compromising integrity, transparency, and the future of Liberia’s domestic companies.
