MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) has underscored the need for stronger energy standards and regulatory frameworks to protect consumers, promote quality assurance, and accelerate Liberia’s transition toward affordable, reliable, sustainable, and clean energy.

Delivering the keynote address at programs marking the commemoration of World Standards Day 2026 in Monrovia [Wednesday, October 14, 2026], the Deputy Minister for Energy at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Charles Umehai, emphasized that effective standardization is critical to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), which seeks to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

Deputy Minister Umehai highlighted the importance of establishing and enforcing appropriate standards to ensure that energy products, technologies, and services meet acceptable requirements for safety, efficiency, affordability, and sustainability.

The theme for this year’s World Standards Day was “Shared Vision for a Better World: Spotlight on SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy.” The event was organized by the Liberia Standards Authority (LiSA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, and was attended by government officials, private-sector representatives, development partners, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and renewable energy stakeholders to explore the role of standardization in advancing Liberia’s energy and sustainable development priorities.

Another key point Deputy Minister Umehai picked up in his keynote address was the central role of energy in driving economic growth, strengthening industrial productivity, improving healthcare and education delivery, and supporting the Liberia’s expanding digital economy. In this regard, he stressed that achieving universal access to modern energy requires more than expanding electricity generation and distribution. Accordingly, Deputy Minister Umehai noted that it also demands strong institutional coordination, effective regulatory oversight, compliance with established standards, and a sustained commitment to consumer protection.

The Deputy Minister further emphasized the importance of collaboration between MME and LiSA in ensuring that energy products and technologies entering the Liberian market meet appropriate safety, performance, and energy-efficiency requirements.
He intimated that these measures are increasingly important as Liberia expands the adoption of renewable energy technologies, including solar power systems, and promoting the use of energy-efficient appliances.

In her welcome remarks earlier during the program, Joebarline S. B. Gbozee, Director of the Bureau of Energy Planning, Research and Policy at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, highlighted the significance of World Standards Day and called for stronger cooperation among institutions working to advance Liberia’s energy sector and broader sustainable development agenda.

The World Standards Day 2026 Message from the Director-General of the Liberia Standards Authority (LiSA), Stephen Y. Mambu, was delivered by the institution’s Chief Technical Officer, Melvin Alfred Tokpah. The message emphased that standards are fundamental to quality assurance, consumer safety, and international trade competitiveness.

Mr. Tokpah observed that as Liberia increasingly embraces solar energy systems and energy-efficient appliances, effective standardization and compliance mechanisms are essential to preventing the circulation of substandard products and building public confidence in clean energy solutions.

The program also featured technical presentations and demonstrations by Solar-Tech Consultancy, Women in Renewable Energy (WiRE), and Emergi Liberia. The presentations showcased renewable energy technologies and clean cooking alternatives, highlighting practical solutions that can contribute to expanding access to sustainable energy in Liberia.

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