AGP Executive Report

Solar for Schools: ECOWAS @50 delivered solar power systems to six high schools in Margibi, aiming to improve reliable electricity for learning and youth engagement. Pollution Alarm in Montserrado: Stakeholders flagged rising soil, water, and waste pollution, including lead contamination risks, pushing for stronger waste management and community awareness under a Pure Earth-funded project. Carbon Trading Clash: The African Development Bank challenged Liberia’s carbon market push, rejecting claims that the policy was tied to AfDB support while civil society warns about rushed approval and land-rights concerns. Human Trafficking Case: A Monrovia grand jury indicted 11 people over trafficking and exploitation of 57 victims, after allegations that bribery helped derail earlier parts of the case. Illegal Mining Crackdown: President Boakai ordered joint security forces to act against illegal miners in Gbarpolu, citing polluted water sources and threats to lawful mining governance. Electricity Access Boost: The World Bank reported progress in West Africa’s power integration, including thousands of kilometres of transmission lines and millions gaining electricity access, with Liberia included. Climate Rights Push: Ahead of World Environment Day, the UN backed a resolution reinforcing states’ legal duties to prevent climate harm, while activists still face persecution.

UN Climate Rights Push: The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution backing the ICJ view that states must prevent climate harm, framing climate action as a human rights duty and calling out continued attacks on climate and environmental activists. Illegal Mining Crackdown: President Boakai ordered joint security forces to move against illegal miners in Gbarpolu, saying the activity is polluting water sources and undermining lawful mining governance. Acid Spill Fallout in Bong: An independent investigation into a January hydrochloric acid spill in Money Sweet Town challenges Liberia EPA’s earlier conclusions, citing human exposure, health complications, and environmental contamination concerns. Roads for Lofa Trade: Liberia’s Salayea to Konia road project will rehabilitate 50 km in Lofa County into an all-weather asphalt route, cutting travel time from 160 to 45 minutes. Power for West Africa: The World Bank says its regional power programme expanded electricity access to over 3 million people and boosted cross-border trade with 4,000+ km of transmission lines. Ebola Preparedness & Tech: A regional forum in Nairobi discussed safe nuclear and radiation use in healthcare as Ebola risks rise, while research highlights experimental blood-filtering approaches for severe Ebola cases. Liberia Exports to Asia: Liberia’s exports to China jumped over 30-fold under China’s zero-tariff policy, and exports to India rose more than 120% on palm kernel oil and natural rubber. Governance & Environment Finance: UNDP and Sweden-backed work on Liberia’s property tax expansion aims to strengthen local revenue systems—key for funding services, including environmental protection.

Illegal Mining Crackdown (Gbarpolu): President Boakai has ordered joint security forces to move against illegal miners in Gbarpolu, warning of water pollution, weakened lawful mining governance, and rising community tensions. Environmental Health Alarm (Bong County): An independent investigation into a January hydrochloric acid spill in Money Sweet Town challenges Liberia EPA’s earlier assessment, citing possible human exposure, health complications, and long-term social and economic impacts. Energy Access Boost (West Africa): The World Bank says a regional power programme has expanded electricity access to over 3 million people and built 4,000+ km of transmission lines across 15 countries, including Liberia, to strengthen cross-border trade. Local Governance Funding Stress: A new study warns Liberia’s decentralization agenda faces a US$179.4m funding gap by 2029, threatening county service delivery. Trade Push (China & India): Liberia’s exports to China jumped 30-fold under Beijing’s zero-tariff policy, while exports to India rose 120% in 2025-26, led by palm kernel oil and natural rubber.

UN Security Council Seat: Trinidad and Tobago won a non-permanent UNSC seat for 2027-28, but questions linger over Caricom support after nine states abstained. Power & Climate: The World Bank says West Africa’s power integration push is expanding cross-border electricity trade and boosting access, including new connections for Liberia. Maritime/Blue Economy: NIMASA reaffirmed plans to deepen Nigeria-Liberia maritime cooperation, focusing on capacity building and sea-time training for youth. Liberia’s Environment Under Scrutiny: An independent probe into a January hydrochloric acid spill in Money Sweet Town, Bong County, challenges Liberia’s EPA findings, citing possible exposure, health impacts, and contamination concerns. Renewables: Liberia’s first solar farm at Mount Coffee is now supplying the grid under the World Bank’s RESPITE project, aiming to cut diesel dependence. Local Governance Funding: A new study warns Liberia’s decentralization agenda faces a US$179.4m funding gap by 2029, threatening county service delivery. Rural Climate Resilience: EPA, UNDP and GEF launched the US$103.9m SARTLA project to strengthen climate-resilient agriculture and livelihoods. Transport & Accountability: Liberia’s NTA says it procured 20 buses and five cargo trucks, with buses held until an electronic monitoring system is installed. Trade & Agriculture: Liberia’s exports to India more than doubled in 2025-26, driven by crude palm kernel oil and natural rubber.

Renewables Push: Liberia’s first solar farm at Mount Coffee is now producing power, with a 20-megawatt facility using 40,000 panels to cut reliance on diesel and support grid supply. Climate Resilience Agriculture: The EPA, UNDP and GEF launched the US$103.9m SARTLA project to boost climate-smart farming, restore degraded ecosystems, and strengthen fisheries and livelihoods across seven counties. Mining & Water Safety: A Senate warning flags unsafe underground mining in Henry Town, Gbarpolu, as heavy rains intensify—citing ecosystem damage and polluted waterways. Pollution Accountability: An independent probe into a hydrochloric acid spill in Money Sweet Town challenges Liberia’s EPA conclusions, raising concerns over human exposure and long-term impacts. Urban Climate Risks: A young Liberian advocate at WUF13 pushed Monrovia’s flood and housing challenges into global climate-city discussions, calling for direct climate finance for frontline communities. Energy Transition Watch: Liberia’s role in the renewable push comes as regional debates over fuels and emissions rules heat up, with shipping and carbon policy discussions echoing across the country’s energy agenda.

Climate Resilience for Farmers: Liberia’s EPA, with UNDP and GEF funding, has launched the US$103.9M SARTLA project (2025–2030) to boost climate resilience, restore degraded ecosystems, improve food security, and support sustainable fisheries across seven counties. Renewable Energy Push: Liberia’s first solar farm in Mount Coffee (20MW, ~40,000 panels) is now supplying power to the national grid under the World Bank’s RESPITE project, aiming to cut diesel dependence and raise generation capacity. Urban Floods and Housing Pressure: At WUF13 in Baku, Liberian youth leader Ezekiel Nyanfor urged global action on Monrovia’s recurring floods, weak infrastructure, housing shortages, and climate impacts—calling for frontline communities to lead solutions. Land and Public Facilities Dispute: Residents of NASSCORP Village in Brewerville accuse the National Housing Authority of selling land meant for public facilities like schools, clinics, and markets, with cases now in court. Ebola Safety and Vaccines: With Ebola spreading in Central Africa, Moderna is advancing a potential Bundibugyo vaccine with CEPI support, while travel safety concerns remain high. Waste Management Crisis: Traders at Duala Market say sanitation has collapsed under blocked drainage and overflowing garbage, worsening health risks and daily business.

Energy Shock Watch: UNCTAD warns nearly 1 billion people in the world’s most vulnerable economies could face higher living costs as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz push oil prices up sharply. Maritime Climate Politics: Greece says EU shipping deals can’t move without its consent as IMO Net-Zero talks on emissions and fuel rules intensify. Liberia’s Renewable Push: Liberia’s first solar farm in Mount Coffee comes online under the World Bank’s RESPITE project, aiming to cut diesel dependence and boost grid power. Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Liberia launches the US$103.9m SARTLA project to help farmers and fisherfolk adapt to climate impacts, restore ecosystems, and strengthen food security across seven counties. Blue Economy Cooperation: Nigeria and Liberia deepen maritime ties to expand safety, training, and regional integration for the West African Blue Economy. Ebola Alert: A rare Ebola strain in DR Congo is driving new travel and public health measures, while Moderna advances a potential vaccine with CEPI support. Urban Flooding & Waste: A young Liberian at WUF13 urges global action that centers Monrovia’s frontline communities, as sanitation woes continue to strain markets and daily life. Housing Land Dispute: NASSCORP Village residents accuse the National Housing Authority of selling land meant for public facilities, sparking court cases.

Climate Resilience in Liberia: The EPA and UNDP, with GEF funding, have launched the $103.9m SARTLA project (2025–2030) to boost climate resilience, food security, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable livelihoods across seven counties, targeting impacts already felt by farmers and coastal fisherfolk. Public Health Preparedness: Liberia’s NCCRM is strengthening Ebola readiness after cases were reported in the DRC and neighboring countries, focusing on prevention, early warning, public awareness, and better response coordination. Blue Economy & Maritime Cooperation: Nigeria and Liberia reaffirmed deeper maritime collaboration through NIMASA, aiming to improve safety, training, trade promotion, and regional capacity for African youth. Ebola Risk at Borders: Lagos authorities discussed reducing passenger interaction at airports amid renewed Ebola concerns in Central and East Africa. Sanitation Pressure in Monrovia: Traders at the busy Duala Market say worsening waste and blocked drainage are creating serious health risks and disrupting daily business, criticizing city sanitation response. Forestry Compliance Push: Ghana’s timber sector workshop (linked to efforts across Ghana, Liberia, and Cameroon) trained operators to improve compliance, cut illegal timber trade, and support sustainable forest governance.

Climate Resilience Launch: Liberia’s EPA and UNDP have kicked off the SARTLA climate resilience project, a five-year, US$103.9m effort to boost food security, restore ecosystems, and help vulnerable communities adapt across seven counties. Sanitation Pressure in Monrovia: Duala Market is facing a worsening sanitation crisis, with traders blaming blocked drainage, overflowing garbage, and weak city waste management for health risks and lost customers. Public Health Readiness: Liberia’s NCCRM says it is strengthening Ebola preparedness after outbreaks in parts of Central and East Africa, focusing on prevention, early warning, public awareness, and response coordination. Maritime & Blue Economy: Nigeria and Liberia reaffirm deeper maritime cooperation through NIMASA, targeting safer shipping, training, and youth opportunities across the Blue Economy. Governance & Business Climate: An editorial warns Liberia’s “doing business” environment is being choked by red tape for government contracting, while an EU follow-up mission says electoral reforms must move faster before 2029. Extractives Transparency: LEITI and stakeholders renew their push to strengthen EITI compliance after a mid-year retreat in Ganta.

Climate Resilience Launch: Liberia’s EPA and UNDP are set to convene an inception workshop to officially kick off the SARTLA climate resilience project (2026–2030), aiming to help vulnerable rural communities adapt to climate impacts on agriculture, food security, and natural ecosystems. Youth & Green Jobs: Youth leaders urged young Liberians to build digital skills and cybersecurity awareness, while also pointing to growth areas like green energy and climate-related sectors as future job engines. Local Climate Adaptation Funding: The same climate push is backed by broader regional momentum, including World Bank support for rural connectivity that can help farmers reduce losses and strengthen resilience. Maritime & Recycling: Liberia-linked shipping activity made headlines as a Liberia-registered cable ship collision investigation in Pakistan continues, and India issued its first ship recycling credit note to Liberia-based Bella Shipping for scrapping a Capesize bulk carrier in Alang. Governance & Energy: President Boakai submitted a US$57m concessional financing request to expand Liberia’s renewable energy and strengthen grid reliability and regional power links under the West African Power Pool. Digital Rights: Orange Liberia was fined LRD 4m by the LTA over negligent SIM reassignment that led to privacy and communication breaches.

Climate Resilience for Farmers: Liberia’s EPA and UNDP are set to launch the SARTLA climate resilience project (2026–2030), with an inception workshop to map how vulnerable rural communities will adapt to climate impacts on agriculture, food security, ecosystems, and livelihoods. Blue Economy & Regional Shipping: Nigeria’s NIMASA says it wants stronger Liberia-Nigeria maritime cooperation to build capacity, expand regional integration, and grow sustainable “blue economy” opportunities for African youth. Maritime Safety & Pollution Risk: Pakistan authorities are investigating a Karachi Port collision involving a container vessel and a cable-laying ship; the Liberia-registered cable ship was holed and containers may have fallen overboard, raising concerns about environmental harm. Ship Recycling Incentives: India has issued its first ship recycling credit note to Liberia-based Bella Shipping for scrapping a Capesize bulk carrier in Alang—an example of how recycling credits can shape end-of-life vessel decisions. Local Investment Push: Liberia’s Governance Commission validates a Draft Local Content Policy and Supplier Development Portal, aiming to boost Liberian participation in concessions and supply chains. Energy & Renewables: President Boakai submits a US$57m concessional financing request to expand renewable power and strengthen Liberia’s grid and regional power links.

Maritime Safety & Pollution Risk: Pakistan authorities are investigating a May 28 collision at Karachi Port involving a cable-laying ship and a container vessel; no injuries were reported, but reports say containers may have fallen overboard and the Liberian-registered cable ship was holed, with officials barring ships from leaving until checks finish. Ship Recycling Incentives: India’s government issued the first ship recycling credit note to Liberia-based Bella Shipping for scrapping a Capesize bulk carrier at Alang, with the credit redeemable for new vessel construction—an environmental policy lever that can shape how end-of-life ships are handled. Liberia Energy & Climate Resilience: President Boakai submitted a US$57m concessional financing deal to lawmakers to expand renewable power and strengthen Liberia’s electricity infrastructure and grid interconnectivity under the West African Power Pool. Local Governance for Cleaner Growth: Liberia’s Governance Commission validated a Draft Local Content Policy and Supplier Development Portal with the World Bank, aiming to boost local participation in concessions and investment—key for making development benefits reach communities. Regional Climate-Linked Infrastructure: The World Bank approved a US$500m Ghana project to rehabilitate over 1,000 km of rural feeder roads, improving market access and resilience for farming communities. Water, Sanitation & Health: PAYOWI and partners marked World Menstrual Hygiene Day with community sessions for women and girls, focusing on hygiene, safe water use, and reducing stigma.

Rural Roads Boost: The World Bank approved a US$500m Ghana Market Access and Connectivity Project to rehabilitate and maintain 1,000+ km of feeder roads, aiming to cut transport costs, reduce post-harvest losses, and create thousands of jobs—an approach Liberia can watch as it plans climate-smart infrastructure. Local Investment Push: The AfDB and World Economic Forum launched the Humanitarian and Resilience Investing (HRI) Roadmap for Africa, with pilots already underway in Liberia, targeting private capital for fragile economies and reducing aid dependence. Energy & Renewables: Liberia’s President Boakai submitted a US$57m concessional financing deal to expand renewable generation, strengthen grid reliability, and improve rural and urban electrification under the West African Power Pool. Digital Rights: Liberia’s telecom regulator fined Orange Liberia LRD 4m over negligent SIM reassignment that led to privacy and account breaches. Women’s Economic Safety: UN Women Liberia and partners began Spotlight Initiative 2.0 planning to link women’s livelihoods with protection from violence, including support for survivors of SGBV and women with disabilities. Environment & Shipping: Georgia fined a Liberia-flagged vessel for industrial wastewater pollution in the Black Sea, underscoring growing enforcement on maritime environmental harm.

Energy & Climate Resilience: President Boakai submitted a US$57m concessional deal to expand Liberia’s electricity infrastructure and boost grid-connected renewables under the WAPP framework, aiming to speed rural and urban electrification. Local Governance & Jobs: The Governance Commission validated Liberia’s Draft Local Content Policy and Supplier Development Portal with the World Bank and partners, pushing for stronger Liberian participation in concessions and procurement. Women’s Health & Water/Sanitation: PAYOWI and partners trained 40 women and girls on menstrual health and hygiene in Zingbor Town, Todee District, focusing on safe practices and stigma-free support. Biodiversity & Livelihoods: A beekeeper in Monrovia’s honey sector, supported through UNDP’s Growth Accelerator and EU-backed Leh Go Green, is scaling up organic forest honey production—showing how nature-based income can grow. Fisheries Governance: NaFAA met newly elected LAFA leadership to tackle illegal fishing, declining stocks, and weak cold storage—key steps for sustainable coastal livelihoods. Digital Rights: LTA fined Orange Liberia LRD 4m after a SIM reassignment breach led to account hijacking and privacy violations.

Renewable Power Push: Liberia’s LEC signed a PPA with Titan Group for a 200MW solar plant plus 100MWh battery storage in Grand Cape Mount, aiming to cut reliance on costly thermal power and improve electricity access. Forest Protection & Trade Rules: Liberia’s Senate hearing on the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) was disrupted after the Ministry of Agriculture warned it could harm smallholders, while the EU requires deforestation-free supply chains for key commodities. Biodiversity & Carbon Finance: A Sierra Leone study in Gola Rainforest suggests REDD+ carbon programs can also support wildlife biodiversity, with soundscape measures pointing to ecosystem benefits. Community Environment & Health: In Harper, a US$187,000 rehabilitation project is restoring the long-abandoned John Hilary Tubman Elementary and Junior High School, including drainage and safe water upgrades. Local Livelihoods: A Monrovia-based beekeeper’s organic honey brand grew after UNDP’s EU-funded Leh Go Green Growth Accelerator support, improving production and resilience. Fisheries Governance: NaFAA met newly elected LAFA leadership to tackle illegal fishing, declining stocks, and weak cold storage—key issues for sustainable coastal livelihoods. Electricity Safety Under Threat: LIBENERGY warned Harper residents about rising theft of transformer earthing/neutral cables, saying the sabotage risks public safety and grid reliability.

Ebola Funding Gap: The UK says it has pledged £21m for the fast-growing Ebola crisis in eastern DRC, but that’s just 5% of what it spent during the last massive outbreak—raising fears as risks spread to neighboring countries. Fisheries Governance: NaFAA met newly elected LAFA leadership to push stronger fisheries governance and tackle illegal fishing, declining stocks, and weak cold-storage and processing. Renewable Power Push: Liberia’s LEC signed a PPA with Titan Group for a 200MW solar plant plus 100MWh battery storage in Grand Cape Mount—aimed at cutting reliance on costly thermal power. Forest & Wildlife Co-Benefits: A Sierra Leone study on REDD+ financing found higher soundscape saturation in a funded park, suggesting carbon programs can also support biodiversity. Gender-Responsive Policy: Liberia moved to validate a draft Gender-Responsive Foreign Policy with UN Women, seeking to embed gender equality across diplomacy after years of delay. Health System Support: Liberia received 25 new ambulances to strengthen emergency and maternal care, targeting delays caused by poor roads. Biofertilizer Certification: LISA and Green Cities discussed a certification process for biofertilizer and biopesticide importers to improve quality and safety. Energy Theft Warning: LIBENERGY warned of rising transformer earthing cable theft in Harper, saying it threatens public safety and grid integrity. Community Health Workers at Risk: With donor support fading, Liberia’s community health assistants face an uncertain future despite their large role in malaria and malnutrition care. Mining Enforcement: The Mines and Energy Ministry launched a nationwide mining tour to curb illegal mining and reduce environmental damage. EUDR Backlash: Liberia’s Senate hearing on the EU Deforestation Regulation was halted after the Agriculture Ministry criticized it as a form of modern colonialism that could hurt smallholders. SME Financing: LIFT-P highlighted how SME loans are helping businesses expand and create jobs, including agro-processing in Nimba. Women’s Health & Energy: A call for reliable electricity as essential to safe healthcare, especially for women and girls, echoed across the week’s coverage.