MONROVIA, LIBERIA – OCTOBER 15, 2026: Liberia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Hon. R. Matenokay Tingban, has called on American mining companies to explore investment opportunities in Liberia, emphasizing the Government’s commitment to attracting strategic investments that will strengthen mineral development, increase domestic revenue generation, and accelerate sustainable economic growth.
Minister Tingban made the call during a high-level meeting with United States Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Kristin M. Gilmore, who paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) on Thursday, October 15, 2026. The diplomatic visit was intended to discuss bilateral cooperation and investment opportunities in Liberia’s mining and energy sectors.
Welcoming the U.S. diplomat and her delegation, Minister Tingban reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding relationship with the United States through sustained engagement and mutually beneficial partnerships. The Mines and Energy Minister also introduced key officials of the Ministry, including Deputy Minister for Operations William Hines, Deputy Minister for Planning Fahnseth B. Mulbah, Deputy Minister for Energy, Charles Umehai, Assistant Minister for Mines Sumo Momolu, Chief of Staff Timothy Woods, and the Technical Advisor to the Minister, Henry Bollie.
During the meeting, Chargé d’Affaires Gilmore, who previously served in Liberia from 2007 to 2009, observed improvements in electricity access since her earlier assignment. She also inquired about the Minister’s recent participation in the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and his related engagements in the United States, particularly discussions surrounding Liberia’s development priorities and investment prospects.
MINISTER HIGHLIGHTS LIBERIA’S MINERAL INVESTMENT POTENTIAL
Providing an overview of his recent international engagements, Minister Tingban said his participation in high-level discussions on critical minerals development in Africa and an international investment roundtable in New York provided opportunities to showcase Liberia’s mineral and energy potential to prospective investors.
The Minister emphasized that Liberia’s mineral development agenda must extend beyond the export of raw materials to include mineral processing, value addition, infrastructure development, technology transfer, and workforce capacity-building.
He noted that strategic partnerships and increased private-sector investment are essential to unlocking Liberia’s natural resource potential and ensuring that the benefits of mineral development contribute more substantially to national economic growth.
Minister Tingban further encouraged American mining companies to consider Liberia as an attractive investment destination, stressing that responsible investment can create jobs, expand local economic opportunities, strengthen technical capacity, and increase government revenue. According to the Minister, mining companies from the United States and parts of the West have high operating standards that can make a greater paradigm shift in improving the sector in Liberia; especially on an industrial scale to make mineral extraction more sustainably, environmentally friendly and economically beneficial on a win-win basis.
PROPOSED NATIONAL MINING COMPANY BEFORE THE PRESIDENCY
A major highlight of the discussions was the proposed establishment of Liberia’s National Mining Company, an initiative intended to strengthen the country’s participation in the mining sector and maximize national benefits from its mineral resources.
Responding to an inquiry from Chargé d’Affaires Gilmore regarding the status of the proposed institution, Minister Tingban disclosed that the proposal is before the Office of the President. He added that the President had given the Ministry a one-year period to put the necessary arrangements in place.
Expounding more on this proposed operational framework, Minister Tingban referenced the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), noting that the proposed National Mining Company would similarly pursue strategic partnerships to support its operations and position itself as a contributor to national revenue generation.
Minister Tingban indicated that the proposed institution forms part of broader efforts to enhance Liberia’s participation in the management and development of Liberia’s mineral resources by the Country itself, while ensuring that the country derives greater economic value from its mining industry.
The initiative is also expected to contribute to ongoing efforts to strengthen the mining sector’s contribution to national development, improve domestic resource mobilization, and create opportunities for strategic investment partnerships.
ENERGY SECTOR REFORMS AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The discussions also focused on Liberia’s energy sector, with Deputy Minister for Energy Charles Umehai outlining key challenges affecting investment, infrastructure development, and electricity access, while also expounding levels of progress.
Among the issues highlighted were land-access constraints, limited financing, and the need to review and harmonize existing laws and policies to create a more enabling environment for investment in energy infrastructure.
Deputy Minister Umehai identified opportunities to expand solar energy development, strengthen electricity transmission infrastructure, and advance medium-term plans to increase generation capacity.
He also referenced a proposed additional 50 megawatts of electricity from Côte d’Ivoire through the existing CLSG arrangement which is already feeding 50n megawatts into Liberia’s energy mix. Deputy Minister Umehai said, these efforts are intended to improve power supply. In addition, he underscored the importance of attracting American investors into Liberia’s solar energy industry to diversify generation sources and expand access to reliable electricity.
The Deputy Minister further highlighted the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact as an important mechanism for addressing structural challenges in the electricity sector and supporting infrastructure development and institutional reforms.
He emphasized that increased private-sector participation, supported by appropriate policy and regulatory frameworks, would be critical to advancing Liberia’s energy development objectives.
GEOLOGICAL DATA CRITICAL TO ATTRACTING INVESTORS
The Deputy Minister for Operations, William Hines, speaking during the diplomatic engagement with the US Embassy officials noted that American mining companies remain relatively underrepresented in Liberia’s mining industry, stressing the need for their involvement to attract more U.S. investors.
He emphasized the importance of conducting timely geophysical surveys and improving the availability and reliability of geological data to accurately establish Liberia’s mineral potential.
According to Deputy Minister Hines, access to credible geological information is essential to reducing investment uncertainties, attracting qualified investors, and enabling informed decisions about the exploration and development of the country’s mineral resources.
He noted that strengthening geological data collection and management would help position Liberia more competitively in the international mining industry and support the Government’s efforts to promote responsible mineral exploration.
LIBERIA REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT
Reiterating his appeal to American investors, Minister Tingban emphasized that Liberia remains open for business and welcomes credible investors willing to contribute to the responsible development of its mining and energy sectors.
He stressed that investment partnerships should go beyond resource extraction to promote local value addition, employment creation, technology transfer, infrastructure development, and the strengthening of domestic economic capacity.
The Minister also underscored the importance of broadening Liberia’s revenue base through increased contributions from the mining sector, noting that the country’s natural resource wealth must translate into tangible economic and development benefits for its citizens.
He maintained that closer cooperation between Liberia and the United States could create significant opportunities for investment, institutional development, and sustainable growth, particularly in critical minerals, renewable energy, and supporting infrastructure.
Chargé d’Affaires Gilmore was accompanied by Christopher M. Hoffmann, Political Officer; Jullion M. Cooper, Economic Unit Chief; and Robert Newsom.
The meeting underscored the potential for stronger Liberia – United States cooperation in responsible mineral development, energy investment, geological data enhancement, institutional strengthening, and private-sector engagement.
The meeting with the US Embassy officials come on the heels of Liberia hosting an international mining and energy conference codenamed: LIMEC 2026, scheduled to take place at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County from October 28 – 29, 2026.
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