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ADNews, Monrovia, Liberia: President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has thrown his full support behind reforms at the National Port Authority, signaling a major shift in Liberia’s maritime and trade policy aimed at breaking long-standing monopolies, reducing port congestion and lowering the cost of doing business.
Delivering his 2026 State of the Nation Address, Boakai described the NPA as central to Liberia’s economic recovery, trade facilitation and structural transformation. His remarks amount to a strong public endorsement of reforms being carried out by the NPA management team under Managing Director Sekou A. M. Dukuly.
The president said the reforms are designed to dismantle inefficiencies, capacity constraints and monopolistic bottlenecks at the Freeport of Monrovia, Liberia’s main maritime gateway.
Foreign Investment to Expand Port Operations
Boakai announced that during an official engagement in Morocco, a leading Moroccan port development firm committed to investing in port equipment, logistics systems and terminal infrastructure at the Freeport of Monrovia.
The investment will support the expansion of the Freeport and the construction of modern bulk cargo terminals at the LMC Pier. Officials say the move will ease congestion, diversify terminal operations and structurally reduce port-related costs.
The development is expected to end a long-standing operational monopoly at the Freeport by introducing competition, improving service efficiency and enhancing transparency in port operations and tariffs.
According to the president, expanded bulk-handling capacity at the LMC Pier will reduce vessel waiting times, shorten cargo dwell periods, decongest existing berths and improve turnaround efficiency for shipping lines, importers and exporters.
Aligning With National Reform Agenda
The reforms align with the NPA’s RESET Agenda, which focuses on reclaiming operational control, modernizing port services and strengthening Liberia’s logistics value chain. The government aims to reposition Liberia as a competitive maritime hub along the West African coast.
Boakai also disclosed that comprehensive master plans for the Ports of Monrovia and Buchanan have been completed. The plans provide a technical and investment roadmap for phased infrastructure upgrades, terminal expansion, channel optimization and long-term growth in cargo throughput.
He said the master plans are already guiding infrastructure modernization efforts and are being complemented by tariff reforms that have begun to increase revenue while improving fairness and predictability for port users.
Toward a 24-Hour Port Economy
Looking ahead, the president outlined key priorities for Liberia’s maritime sector, including expansion of the Freeport of Monrovia, development of new bulk cargo terminals at the LMC Pier, strategic dredging to accommodate larger vessels, and a full transition to 24-hour port operations.
These initiatives build on reforms already underway at the NPA, including the restoration of night navigation, deployment of navigational aids and berth optimization.
Government officials say the measures will boost cargo volumes, reduce logistics costs, enhance trade competitiveness and increase national revenue, positioning Liberia as a logistics and transshipment hub within the Mano River Union and the wider Gulf of Guinea.
Presidential Endorsement
Boakai’s SONA remarks were widely viewed as a vote of confidence in the NPA’s leadership and reform direction. Analysts say the endorsement underscores the role of port reform as a pillar of Liberia’s broader macroeconomic recovery and development strategy.
As Liberia moves toward a more competitive and investor-ready port system, the National Port Authority is expected to play a central role in trade facilitation, revenue generation and job creation, backed at the highest level of government.
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