01/09/2026
Govt. Orders One-Year Suspension of Import Tariffs on Solar Renewable Energy Products
Monrovia, Liberia — September 1, 2026: The Liberian Government has announced a one-year suspension of import tariffs on eligible off-grid solar and renewable energy products, effective immediately.
The tariff suspension is being implemented in accordance with Executive Order No. 168, issued and signed by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
Deputy Information Minister for Public Affairs, Daniel O. Sando, said the measure forms part of government’s efforts to expand access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy, particularly in rural and underserved communities with limited or no access to the national electricity grid.
Minister Sando said the tariff suspension is also intended to reduce the cost of importing quality renewable energy products, encourage private-sector investment and support productive economic activities across the country.
He made the disclosure Tuesday, September 1, 2026, during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing in Monrovia.
According to Minister Sando, the one-year suspension applies only to qualified products expressly identified in the Schedule attached to Executive Order No. 168 and properly classified under the applicable Harmonized System, or HS, codes.
The eligible products include off-grid solar lighting and electrification systems, standalone solar photovoltaic components, energy-efficient appliances, batteries, solar panels, control units and other renewable energy products considered essential to rural electrification.
Minister Sando said the Executive Order also establishes safeguards to ensure that the tariff suspension is administered transparently and remains limited to quality products and eligible beneficiaries.
Under the Order, eligible entities must be registered with the Liberia Business Registry and the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency and must be actively engaged in activities directly related to the deployment, distribution or installation of renewable energy products.
The Liberia Revenue Authority has been mandated to implement the tariff suspension in a uniform and transparent manner.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with relevant government institutions, will monitor and assess the socioeconomic, fiscal and environmental impact of the policy.
However, the Executive Order clarifies that the tariff suspension does not automatically exempt eligible importers from other applicable statutory obligations.
Goods and services subject to the Goods and Services Tax, or VAT, Customs User Fees, the ECOWAS Trade Levy, where applicable, as well as other charges, fees, levies, regulatory, inspection and statutory requirements will remain payable unless expressly suspended under the Executive Order.
The Order further warns that individuals or entities found knowingly misclassifying goods, submitting false documentation, importing non-qualifying products, inflating prices or otherwise abusing the tariff suspension will be subject to applicable criminal penalties.
The government says the measure is intended to promote greater investment in renewable energy while contributing to expanded electricity access and sustainable economic development across Liberia.
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