AGP Executive Report

Flooding and Climate: Heavier, less predictable rains, clogged drains and building on wetlands are worsening Monrovia’s floods. Nearly 20,000 families have been affected across two counties, with seven deaths reported; residents and officials are calling for cleared waterways, better drainage, wetland protection and stronger disaster response. Safer Housing: With about 70% of Liberia’s urban population living in slums or poor housing, architects urge safer, affordable homes and settlement upgrades that avoid forced displacement. Mining Impacts: China Union is assessing pollution and road damage in mining communities after FPA reporting, while civil society groups press for mining-sector reforms. Forests and Cocoa: A new analysis says major chocolate companies have reduced cocoa-related emissions, with forest protection rules influencing sourcing; the report highlights cocoa-driven forest clearing in Lofa County. Fisheries: EJF and NaFAA have launched a three-year effort to clean up Liberia’s fisheries sector.

Flooding: Heavier, less predictable rain—compounded by clogged drains and building on wetlands—is worsening floods in Monrovia. Nearly 20,000 families have been affected, with seven deaths reported. Residents want waterways cleared; officials point to better drainage, forecasting, wetland protection and disaster funding. Oil Spill Risk: A Liberia-flagged tanker caught fire off Russia’s Black Sea coast after an unmanned-vessel attack. Its 23 crew members were rescued, and environmental monitors reported no pollution. Forests and Cocoa: A new analysis says major chocolate companies’ cocoa-related emissions fell by a quarter in three years, while reported deforestation-free sourcing rose. It suggests the EU’s deforestation rules are helping drive change, with implications for cocoa-growing forests in Liberia. Climate-Smart Farming: In Monrovia, 55 urban farmers, women, young people and people with disabilities received training in gardening, composting and climate-smart practices to strengthen food production and resilience.

Black Sea Pollution Watch: A Liberia-flagged tanker carrying crude caught fire off Sochi after an unmanned-boat attack. All 23 crew members were rescued, and Russia’s environmental watchdog says monitoring has found no pollution—though beaches were restricted as a precaution. Safer Settlements: Liberia’s architects are urging upgrades to informal neighborhoods that reduce flood and building risks without forcing residents from their homes. Mining Accountability: Communities report polluted water and damaged roads near mining sites, prompting calls for stronger rules and enforcement so local people share in the benefits. Climate-Smart Farming: A Monrovia training equipped 55 urban residents with skills in backyard gardening, composting and climate-resilient agriculture. Coastal and Forest Protection: Ireland has committed €1.5 million to coastal resilience and mangrove conservation in southeastern Liberia, while a new analysis points to falling cocoa-related deforestation emissions as companies prepare for the EU’s deforestation law.

Offshore Oil Push: Liberia’s LPRA will present its 2026 Offshore Direct Negotiation Licensing Round in Cape Town, offering 16 offshore blocks across the Liberia and Harper basins with major seismic data backing—raising big hopes for investment and jobs. Maritime Pollution Watch: After a tanker fire in the Black Sea tied to an attack on a Liberia-flagged vessel, Russia’s environmental watchdog says there are currently no signs of pollution. Mining Accountability: Civil society and mining-affected communities are calling for urgent mining governance reforms, pointing to polluted water, damaged roads, and weak benefits for communities despite extraction. Climate & Cocoa: A new analysis says EU’s zero deforestation law is already pushing down deforestation-linked cocoa emissions, even before full enforcement—relevant for Liberia’s cocoa-linked forest risks. ECOWAS Justice: Liberia’s Charlyne M. Brumskine and four others were sworn in as ECOWAS Court judges, with leaders urging impartial, credible decisions. Roads Funding: Liberia’s Road Fund reports 130 valid contracts worth over US$203M, with US$121M disbursed and about US$81M still outstanding. Food & Farming Resilience: A €375,000 project will train smallholder farmers in climate-smart, organic practices to boost nutrition and soil health in Nimba and Montserrado.

Mining governance & community impacts: Environmental, transparency and accountability groups are pushing for an urgent overhaul of Liberia’s mining rules after reports that extraction is leaving communities with polluted water, damaged farmland and bad roads—highlighting Ziah Town in Grand Gedeh as a case study ahead of the Liberia International Mining and Energy Conference. Oil & local jobs: NOCAL has signed a Joint Development Agreement with Nigeria’s LADOL to build a Buchanan shorebase, aiming to keep more logistics, waste disposal and technical services inside Liberia and avoid repeating past offshore drilling benefits going abroad. Climate-smart farming: Green Cities, Action Against Hunger and a farmers’ cooperative launched a €375,000 NOURISH Family Farms project to support 600 smallholders with organic biofertilizers and biopesticides, targeting better soil health and nutrition in Nimba and Montserrado. Weather risk & early warning: WMO support is helping strengthen multi-hazard early warning systems, including Liberia’s work to improve observation and data exchange. Human-wildlife & local landmarks: An environmental health specialist in Bong County is urging authorities to halt cutting a historic cotton tree tied to superstition, warning that fear should not override real threats like unsafe water and poor roads. Financial education push: Liberia’s Central Bank trained and certified 50 Financial Education Campaign trainers to expand financial literacy nationwide. Digital skills for educators: ArcelorMittal Liberia trained 38 teachers and administrators in Yekepa to improve classroom and administrative digital skills. Implementation accountability: Naymote says only 12 of President Boakai’s 385 ARREST Agenda interventions are fully completed, with many still ongoing or not rated.

Mining Governance & Community Impacts: Environmental, transparency and accountability groups are pushing for urgent reforms to Liberia’s mining rules after residents from mining-affected areas say extraction is leaving them with polluted water, damaged farmland and bad roads—highlighting Ziah Town in Grand Gedeh where gold mining continues despite unsafe drinking water. Mining Conference Focus: The call comes as Liberia prepares for the Liberia International Mining and Energy Conference (Oct. 28–29), with communities demanding a real seat at the table so investment translates into local development. Oil & Gas Local Content: NOCAL has signed a deal with Nigeria’s LADOL to develop a Buchanan shorebase to keep more petroleum services and jobs in Liberia, including plans for an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment. Coastal & Fisheries Concerns: Liberia’s fisheries sector is also in the spotlight as international partners stress stronger action against illegal fishing and better maritime cooperation. Early Warning & Climate Resilience: Liberia is among countries supported to strengthen multi-hazard early warning systems, improving data and forecasting capacity. Social Protection Financing: The World Bank backs Liberia’s National Social Protection Policy 2026–2030, urging more domestic funding to protect vulnerable communities long-term. Maritime Safety Risk: A Liberia-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz was hit by a projectile; no environmental impact was reported, but the incident underscores rising maritime security threats.

Oil & Gas Local Content: NOCAL has signed a Joint Development Agreement with Nigeria’s LADOL to develop a Buchanan shorebase in Grand Bassa, aiming to keep logistics, waste handling and technical services inside Liberia instead of relying on Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Senegal. Coastal & Food Resilience: Green Cities, Action Against Hunger and the Say No to Hunger Farmers’ Cooperative launched a €375,000 NOURISH Family Farms project for 600 smallholder farmers (with a strong women’s focus), promoting organic biofertilizers and biopesticides to improve soil health and nutrition in Nimba and Montserrado. Climate Risk & Early Warning: WMO support under the EW4All initiative is strengthening multi-hazard early warning systems, including work in Liberia to improve observation and data exchange for faster, better alerts. Landmark Protection: Environmental health specialist Dr. Syrulwa Somah urged authorities to stop the cutting of a historic cotton tree in Bong County, warning against superstition-driven harm and calling for proper assessment. Social Protection Financing: The World Bank backed Liberia’s National Social Protection Policy and Strategy 2026–2030, urging more domestic funding so vulnerable people are protected beyond short-term external support. Fisheries & Illegal Fishing: PNG called for stronger regional cooperation and surveillance to tackle IUU fishing, linking it to revenue loss, food security and environmental damage.

Social Protection Financing: The World Bank praised Liberia for completing its National Social Protection Policy and Strategy 2026–2030, urging the country to boost domestic funding so support for vulnerable people can last beyond short-term external aid. Sustainable Farming & Nutrition: Green Cities, Action Against Hunger and the Say No to Hunger Farmers’ Cooperative launched a €375,000 NOURISH Family Farms project to help 600 smallholder farmers in Nimba and Montserrado use organic biofertilizers and biopesticides, improve soil health, and strengthen food security. Oil & Gas Local Jobs: NOCAL signed a Joint Development Agreement with Nigeria’s LADOL to develop a Buchanan shorebase, aiming to keep more logistics, waste handling and technical services in Liberia and reduce reliance on regional providers. Fisheries Governance: EJF and NaFAA launched a three-year push to improve transparency and curb illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, responding to ongoing EU “Yellow Card” concerns. Mining Impacts on Communities: A FrontPage Africa investigation into China Union’s mining concession in Bong/Margibi prompted a joint field assessment over alleged water pollution, damaged farmland and roads. Human-Wildlife Conflict: In Western Liberia, communities say elephants are driving crop losses and food insecurity as habitat is squeezed by logging and mining, fueling conflict that has lasted years. Weather & Risk: Experts warn El Niño could stress Liberia’s weak weather warning system, putting lives at risk.

Critical Minerals Governance: Civil society and mining-affected communities are urging Liberia to reform the mining sector and strengthen oversight, warning that weak enforcement and poor transparency could repeat the “resource curse” as critical minerals attract new deals. Fisheries Clean-Up: EJF and NaFAA launched a three-year push to improve fisheries transparency and tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, amid EU “Yellow Card” concerns. Mangrove & Coastal Resilience: Ireland committed €1.5M for a three-year project in Sinoe and Maryland to restore mangroves, boost coastal resilience, and expand community livelihoods, targeting women’s participation. Human-Wildlife Conflict: Western Liberia’s elephant-human conflict is worsening as habitat loss, logging and mining push wildlife into farms, destroying crops and deepening food insecurity. Land Reform Pressure: Rights groups say Liberia’s Land Rights Act is helping, but low funding and institutional overlap are slowing progress. Oil Licensing Move: Liberia’s petroleum regulator plans a Q4 offshore direct negotiation licensing round, with new acreage and seismic data driving the next investment cycle.

Humanitarian & Rights: A Colombian woman deported by the Trump administration to the DRC says she now fears constant pursuit, after being held in Arizona and then in Kinshasa before reaching Spain to seek protection. Maritime Security: A Liberian-flagged supertanker was reportedly hit by a major cyber intrusion, prompting a Coast Guard multiagency response to inspect ship systems and remediate the threat. Environment & Business Accountability: Liberia’s CSOs and mining-affected communities renewed calls for stronger mining reforms, warning that weak enforcement and poor transparency can turn mineral wealth into “growth without development.” Critical Minerals Governance: Integrity Watch Liberia urged the government to publish non-confidential results of a China-supported mineral survey and commission independent verification before major deals, to avoid repeating past resource-export failures. Fisheries Transparency: EJF and NaFAA launched a three-year push to improve fisheries governance and tackle illegal fishing, tied to Liberia’s EU “Yellow Card” concerns. Wildlife Conflict: Communities in Western Liberia say elephant raids are worsening due to food shortages from habitat loss linked to logging and mining, destroying farms and deepening food insecurity. Coastal Resilience: Ireland-backed work will restore mangroves and strengthen coastal resilience in Liberia’s southeast, targeting livelihoods for thousands, including women. Land Reform Pressure: Civil society says Liberia’s land reform progress is real but undermined by low funding, overlapping institutions, and implementation gaps. Economy & Climate Risk Buffer: The IMF approved US$50.16M for Liberia to bolster reserves and support reforms, including resilience to climate-related shocks.

Fisheries Governance: EJF and NaFAA launched a three-year push to boost transparency and curb illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, responding to Liberia’s EU “Yellow Card” concerns and aiming for stronger rule-of-law and science-led management. Critical Minerals Watch: CSOs and mining-affected communities renewed calls for mining reforms, while Integrity Watch Liberia urged government to verify critical-mineral claims and publish non-confidential survey findings before major deals—warning of a repeat “resource curse.” Mining Impacts on Communities: A FrontPage Africa probe into China Union’s concession prompted a joint field assessment with Margibi County Rep. Emmanuel Yahr over alleged water pollution, damaged farmland, dust, and road damage. Human-Wildlife Conflict: Western Liberia’s elephant crisis is linked to food shortages from habitat loss, unregulated mining, and logging, with communities reporting destroyed farms and worsening insecurity. Coastal Resilience & Mangroves: Ireland committed €1.5M for community-led mangrove conservation in Liberia’s southeast, targeting livelihood gains and resilience for about 3,500 people. Urban Sanitation: MPW and the World Bank handed nearly US$600k in equipment to LWSC and city corporations to improve sewage and drainage services in Greater Monrovia.

Critical Minerals Watch: Civil society groups and mining-affected communities are pushing for stronger mining reforms in Liberia, warning that weak enforcement and secrecy could turn mineral wealth into another “resource curse.” Mining Impacts on Water and Roads: A FrontPage Africa probe into China Union’s concession has triggered a joint field assessment by the company and Margibi County Rep. Emmanuel Yahr after residents alleged polluted waterways, damaged farmland, dust, and road damage. Fisheries Governance: EJF and NaFAA launched a three-year push to improve transparency and curb illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, responding to Liberia’s EU “Yellow Card” concerns. Human-Wildlife Conflict: Western Liberia’s elephant crisis is linked to habitat loss from logging and mining, with communities reporting destroyed farms and worsening food insecurity. Coastal Resilience & Mangroves: Ireland committed €1.5M for community-led mangrove restoration and coastal resilience in Sinoe and Maryland, targeting livelihood gains. Land Rights Pressure: Land-rights CSOs demand faster implementation and more funding for the Land Rights Act, citing institutional gaps. IMF Support: The IMF approved US$50.16M for Liberia under ECF and RSF, aimed at reserves and climate-shock resilience.

Maritime Cybersecurity: A Liberian-flagged VLCC reportedly suffered a major network intrusion while sailing toward the U.S. Gulf Coast, with U.S. Coast Guard response teams boarding to inspect and remediate both ship systems and cyber protections. Mining & Pollution Accountability: Civil society and mining-affected communities renewed calls for stronger mining sector reforms, while a FrontPage Africa investigation pushed China Union-linked concerns into a joint field assessment over alleged water pollution, damaged farmland, dust, and road damage. Critical Minerals Governance: Integrity Watch Liberia urged the government to publish non-confidential results of a China-supported mineral survey and commission independent verification before signing major deals, warning Liberia could repeat an “export wealth, leave communities behind” pattern. Fisheries Clean-Up: EJF and NaFAA launched a three-year push to improve transparency and tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing amid EU “Yellow Card” concerns. Coastal Protection: Ireland committed €1.5M to restore mangroves and boost coastal resilience and livelihoods in Sinoe and Maryland. Human-Wildlife Conflict: Western Liberia communities say habitat loss from logging and mining is driving elephants into farms, worsening food insecurity and crop destruction.

Offshore Oil Licensing: Liberia’s LPRA says it will launch a 2026 offshore direct negotiation licensing round in Q4, expanding acreage and seismic data to pull in new petroleum investors. IMF Support: The IMF approved about US$50.16M for Liberia under ECF and RSF reviews, mainly to strengthen central bank reserves and help the country handle climate-related shocks. Mining Accountability: CSOs and mining-affected communities are demanding stronger mining reforms, warning that weak enforcement and secrecy could repeat “growth without development.” Critical Minerals Watch: Integrity Watch Liberia urges government to verify mineral findings and publish non-confidential survey results before signing major deals, to avoid another resource-curse. Mining Pollution Claims: A FrontPage Africa probe into China Union’s concession impacts is pushing a joint field assessment over alleged water pollution, dust, and road damage. Fisheries Clean-Up: EJF and NaFAA launched a three-year push to improve fisheries transparency and fight illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Mangrove & Coastal Resilience: Ireland pledges €1.5M for community-led mangrove restoration in Sinoe and Maryland, targeting livelihood gains and coastal protection. Human-Wildlife Conflict: Western Liberia’s elephant crisis is linked to habitat loss from logging and mining, with farms destroyed and food insecurity rising.

Human-Wildlife Conflict: Western Liberia’s elephant crisis is now in its ninth year, with communities and conservation groups blaming habitat loss and food shortages tied to logging, mining, and unregulated forest encroachment—leaving farms destroyed and families food insecure. Coastal Resilience: Ireland pledges €1.5M for a three-year project in Sinoe and Maryland to restore mangroves, strengthen coastal resilience, and boost community livelihoods, targeting about 3,500 beneficiaries with women in leadership. Land Rights Reform: Civil society groups say Liberia’s Land Rights Act progress is being undermined by low funding and overlapping institutions, urging stronger political will to speed implementation. Weather & Climate Risk: Experts warn a powerful El Niño could stress Liberia’s weak weather warning system, putting thousands at risk if early alerts and preparedness fail. Sanitation & Flooding: The World Bank and Liberia’s Public Works Ministry handed nearly US$600,000 in equipment to improve sewage management and drainage in Greater Monrovia. Media for Accountability: The World Bank challenges Liberian journalists to go beyond official figures and report the real stories shaping sustainable development.

Deforestation Pressure on Cocoa: Watchdog Global Witness says Mondelēz (Cadbury, Toblerone, Oreo) lobbied the EU to weaken and delay the Deforestation Regulation, which would require proof that cocoa linked to forest clearing after Dec. 31, 2020 isn’t sold in the EU. Coastal Protection: Ireland commits €1.5M for a three-year mangrove restoration and coastal resilience project in Sinoe and Maryland, targeting 50 hectares of mangroves and 3,500 beneficiaries. Urban Sanitation Boost: The World Bank-backed Liberia Urban Resilience Project delivered nearly US$600,000 in sewage and drainage equipment to LWSC, Monrovia City and Paynesville City to tackle flooding and overflows. Land Rights Push: CSOs rally for stronger political will and more funding to speed up Liberia’s Land Rights Act implementation. Climate Risk Warning: Experts warn a strong El Niño could expose gaps in Liberia’s weather warning system, putting thousands at risk. Agriculture Seeds Milestone: CARI reports 100MT seed rice produced under SADFONS, with mechanization support planned to raise smallholder output. Green Tech Deal: A strategic alliance between InterstellarM2M and WorldTel aims to build a carbon credits trading platform to support tree planting, forest regeneration and soil health.