Office of Vice President RL, Hon. Jeremiah Kpan Koung

27/05/2026

14/05/2026

13/05/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2026

Liberia Reaffirms Commitment to Nutrition and Early Childhood Development at Regional Ministerial Conclave in Lomé

Monrovia, Liberia – The Government of the Republic of Liberia, through the Office of Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Sr., has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritizing nutrition and early childhood development as key drivers of national development.

This declaration was made during the Regional Conference and Ministerial Conclave on Nutrition and Early Childhood Development held in Lomé, Republic of Togo.

The high-level conference, hosted by the Government of Togo in partnership with the World Bank Group and international development partners, convened ministers, senior government officials, development institutions, civil society organizations, and private sector representatives from across West and Central Africa.

The event aimed to strengthen regional collaboration and accelerate action on nutrition and early childhood development.

Representing the Vice President, Dr. Macdonald Metzger delivered Liberia’s official statement during the closing ceremony, expressing appreciation to the Government and people of Togo, the World Bank Group, and all partners for organizing the critical regional dialogue.

“Liberia recognizes that investing in nutrition and the early years is not only a social obligation, but a national development priority,” Dr. Metzger stated. He highlighted Liberia’s commitment to improving maternal and child nutrition, expanding access to quality early childhood services, supporting school feeding programs, and promoting multi-sectoral collaboration across health, education, agriculture, water and sanitation, and social protection sectors.

Dr. Metzger emphasized that nutrition and early childhood development are strategic investments in the country’s future human capital and economic growth. “Nutrition and early childhood development are not social expenditures – they are national economic investments.

“The future productivity, stability, and competitiveness of our country depend on how we invest in children during the first 2,000 days of life,” he noted.

The delegation stressed the active role of the Office of the Vice President in driving multi-sectoral coordination through stakeholder engagement, resource mobilization, inter-ministerial collaboration, and advocacy for dedicated nutrition budget allocations. “Nutrition cannot be solved by the health sector alone,” Dr. Metzger added.

Key discussions at the conclave focused on strengthening integrated service delivery systems, increasing domestic financing, enhancing accountability mechanisms, and scaling up country-led actions to improve nutrition and early childhood outcomes across the region.

The conference concluded with the adoption of a joint communiqué committing participating countries to strengthen integrated, multi-sectoral approaches, improve monitoring and evaluation systems, mobilize sustainable financing, and accelerate implementation of national action plans.

Liberia welcomed the outcome of the conclave and reaffirmed its commitment to regional cooperation, shared learning, and sustained investment in children and families.

Liberia’s Delegation to the Conference Included: Dr. Macdonald Metzger, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Vice President,
Augustine G. Musah, National Coordinator, Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement Secretariat, Office of the Vice President, Hon. Agnes Chea Marshall, Assistant Minister for Children and Social Protection, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection
Hon. Francis F.B. Mulbah, Assistant Minister for Planning, Policy and Development, Ministry of Agriculture.

Other members of the delegation were; Dr. Bedee Duworko Gbozee, Director, Nutrition Division, Ministry of Health, B. Augustine Kullie, Director, Bureau of Early Childhood Education, Ministry of Education, Eyea P. Sarlie, Senior Budget Officer, Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.

The Government of Liberia extends sincere appreciation to the Government of Togo, the World Bank Group, and all partners for convening this timely, action-oriented regional dialogue aimed at securing a healthier, more resilient, and prosperous future for the children of West and Central Africa.
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06/05/2026

Government to Enforce Exclusive Business Laws for Liberian Citizens

Monrovia, Liberia – May 6, 2026: The Government of Liberia has announced its intention to rigorously enforce existing laws that reserve specific business sectors exclusively for Liberian citizens.

Speaking during a meeting held on May 6, 2026, with local manufacturers and distributors, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung indicated that full enforcement will commence within thirty (30) days.

Key provisions under the enforcement include granting Liberians exclusive rights to distribute locally manufactured products.

The announcement follows a series of consultations led by the Vice President with local business stakeholders, aimed at strengthening Liberian participation in the domestic economy.

Deliberations during these engagements highlighted concerns that some Liberians are serving as fronts for foreign nationals in sectors legally reserved for citizens.

The Vice President noted that such practices undermine the intent of the policy and weaken genuine local enterprise.

In response, several Liberian-owned businesses—including Jungle Water, Bill Delamou Trading, and Exodus Entertainment Center—expressed readiness to assume full responsibility for the distribution of locally produced goods.

Participating distributors underscored their operational capacity, financial strength, and commitment to ensuring nationwide supply.

They further affirmed their readiness to support Liberian-owned retail enterprises by maintaining reliable supply chains and fostering stronger domestic partnerships.

The discussions were geared toward enhancing product availability across the country while increasing local participation in the economy.

However, stakeholders also cautioned against potential circumvention of the policy, noting that foreign-owned entities may attempt to exploit loopholes through proxy arrangements.

As part of the way forward, participants agreed to broaden engagement to include producers, manufacturers, and Liberian distributors.

This collaborative approach is intended to develop a coordinated distribution framework, ensure market stability, and promote sustainable growth within Liberia’s commercial sector.

During a recent appearance on the state broadcaster, ELBC, Vice President Koung reaffirmed the Government’s strong political will to fully implement these measures and ensure that Liberians derive maximum benefit from protected economic opportunities.

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05/05/2026

Government Proposes Interest-Free Loans and Market Upgrades for Market Women

Monrovia, Liberia: May 5,2026- The Government of Liberia has outlined a targeted initiative aimed at easing the financial pressures faced by market women, including the provision of interest-free loans and the rehabilitation of market infrastructure nationwide.

The proposal was conveyed on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., by Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung during the induction ceremony of newly elected officials of the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA) in Monrovia.

Vice President Koung noted that the proposed loan scheme is intended to reduce reliance on high-interest informal borrowing, while underscoring the importance of timely repayment to ensure sustainability and expanded access for beneficiaries.

He further indicated that the government plans to renovate and modernize key markets—including Waterside, Redemption, Rally Town, Gardnerville, and Omega—to enhance safety, sanitation, and overall trading conditions.

Discussions are also ongoing with partners regarding the upgrade of the Omega Market.

Addressing storage constraints, particularly for perishable goods, the Vice President highlighted this as a priority area to help minimize losses and improve traders’ profitability.

He encouraged unity within the LMA and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the association’s governance framework.

Drawing on his own experience as a former member of the LMA, Vice President Koung reiterated the administration’s dedication to improving the livelihoods of market women and recognizing their vital contribution to the national economy.

Those inducted into office include Madam Lusu Sloan-Crawford (President), Olady Sneh (Vice President), Patrick N. Sarti (Secretary General), Patrick K. Jolo (Assistant Secretary General), and Ida T. Duah (Chaplain).

In his remarks, Minister of Local Government Francis Nyumalin congratulated the new leadership and encouraged inclusive engagement with all stakeholders, including candidates from the recent election, in the broader interest of the Association and the country.

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04/05/2026

VP Koung Continues Engagement with Liberian Business Community, Meets Distributors to Strengthen Market Supply

Monrovia, Liberia – May 4, 2026: In continuation of the Government’s efforts to intensify Liberian participation in the country’s distribution and retail sectors, Vice President Hon. Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Sr., on Monday, May 4, 2026, held a strategic working meeting with Liberian-owned businesses operating as distributors.

The meeting focused on enhancing the supply of goods nationwide and strengthening local participation within the market.

During the engagement, the distributors affirmed their capacity and financial liquidity to effectively distribute and supply goods across the country.

They expressed readiness to play a leading role in ensuring that products reach retailers and consumers efficiently.

Participants also acknowledged their responsibility to support Liberian-owned retail enterprises by maintaining reliable supply chains and fostering stronger partnerships within the domestic market system.

However, concerns were raised regarding potential challenges that could undermine these efforts.

Participants cautioned against the risk of foreign-owned distribution companies using Liberian businesses as fronts to circumvent regulatory provisions—an issue that could weaken genuine local participation and distort fair competition.

As part of the way forward, it was agreed that the next phase will involve convening producers and manufacturers alongside Liberian distributors.

This broader engagement aims to develop a coordinated strategy to ensure stable market supply, enhance collaboration, and promote sustainable growth within Liberia’s commercial sector.

The meeting represents a significant step toward reinforcing the role of Liberian businesses in the national economy while addressing structural challenges within the distribution network.

Speaking recently on the state broadcaster, ELBC, the Vice President underscored the Government’s strong political will to ensure that Liberians fully benefit from economic opportunities reserved for them under existing laws.
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01/05/2026

VP Koung Engages Manufacturers to Strengthen Liberianization Policy and Promote Liberian Participation

Monrovia, Liberia – May 1, 2026: The Government of Liberia is intensifying efforts to enhance Liberian participation in the country’s distribution and retail sectors, in line with the provisions of the 2010 Investment Act, which reserves these areas exclusively for Liberian-owned businesses.

In furtherance of this objective, Vice President Hon. Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Sr., on Friday, May 1, 2026, convened a high-level meeting with key manufacturers and private sector stakeholders.

The engagement focused on reinforcing the Government’s commitment to ensuring that Liberians play a leading role in business segments designated for their exclusive participation.

Speaking earlier on the state broadcaster, ELBC, the Vice President underscored the Government’s strong political will to ensure that Liberians fully benefit from economic opportunities reserved for them under existing law.

He emphasized that the effective enforcement of these provisions remains a national priority.

With respect to G5—formerly the Coca-Cola bottling facility—the company currently operates a mixed distribution model involving both Liberian and foreign distributors.

However, entry requirements, including a bank guarantee of approximately US$150,000, established market networks, and the capacity for cash-based transactions, have posed challenges to broader local participation.

A proposal under consideration recommends the gradual phasing out of foreign distributor arrangements, alongside the identification of five to ten qualified Liberian-owned businesses to serve as authorized distributors.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is expected to issue formal guidance encouraging eligible Liberian enterprises to participate in this process.

Similarly, NICOM Distilleries and RITCO currently rely on direct-to-customer sales models rather than structured distribution systems.

Stakeholders have proposed the introduction of formal distribution frameworks for these entities, including the selection of five to ten Liberian-owned distributors per company.

This approach is intended to expand market access while ensuring compliance with national policy objectives.

These initiatives form part of a broader strategy aimed at empowering Liberian entrepreneurs, strengthening local ownership, and reinforcing adherence to the Investment Act’s provisions governing distribution and retail trade.

Recent assessments have also raised concerns regarding the growing presence of foreign nationals in sectors legally reserved for Liberians.

While initial discussions considered the introduction of additional legislation—similar to frameworks adopted in other jurisdictions—a comprehensive review by the Ministry of Commerce and key stakeholders concluded that the existing legal framework is sufficient.

The 2010 Investment Act clearly delineates approximately 16 to 20 business categories exclusively reserved for Liberian citizens.

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