U.S envoy predicts economic boom

United States Ambassador to Liberia, Mark Toner, says President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., is expected to deliver a major economic boost to Liberia.

By Stephen G. Fellajuah

Monrovia, Liberia; July 18, 2025 – Outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, Mark Toner, has disclosed here that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., is expected to deliver a major economic boost to Liberia, specifically, a US$1.8 billion investment.

Though Ambassador Toner did not provide specific details on structure or source of the investment, his remarks appear to align closely with the controversial Liberia–HPX/Ivanhoe Atlantic railway and infrastructure agreement, raising speculation that the deal may be a key part of the broader investment framework.

Toner disclosed during an interview on OK FM in Monrovia on Thursday, July 17, 2025, describing the engagement as a significant milestone in strengthening economic ties between the United States and Liberia.

President Trump recently hosted a three-day summit in Washington, D.C., bringing together leaders from five African nations: Liberia, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Senegal. The summit, according to the White House, was seen as an “incredible commercial opportunity” and focused heavily on Trump’s “trade, not aid” strategy for U.S.–Africa relations.

All five countries currently face 10% tariffs on exports to the U.S., and trade negotiations were high on the agenda. During a televised working lunch at the White House on July 9, the African leaders commended Trump’s initiative and emphasized their desire for increased American investment on the continent.

Ambassador Toner confirmed that the $1.8 billion investment package is linked to both the summit and the bilateral discussions between President Boakai and President Trump. “It’s a significant step for Liberia’s economic future,” Toner said. “Real economic transformation will come through serious investments, from the U.S. and elsewhere.”

He cited the ongoing expansion of ArcelorMittal’s operations as one of the cornerstone components of Liberia’s investment landscape, noting the company’s sustained commitment to long-term development in the country.

The U.S. Envoy also underscored a need to address the economic aspirations of Liberia’s youthful population. He called for targeted reforms in the banking sector to ease access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which he described as vital to Liberia’s economic progress.

Recalling his recent visit to Lofa County, Toner shared how he met with local entrepreneurs, many of them women, who expressed frustration with the difficulty of obtaining business loans. “Access to capital remains one of the biggest barriers for Liberia’s small businesses,” he stated.

Toner’s departure from Liberia comes amid mixed public reactions, particularly concerning the closed-door signing of a multi-user railway agreement between the Government of Liberia and Ivanhoe Atlantic. The deal has sparked public debate and questions about transparency.

Nonetheless, Ambassador Toner defended the process, noting that the delay in announcing the agreement was due to the need for legislative approval. “Regardless, it’s a huge success for Liberia,” he said.

The U.S. Embassy has since issued a statement in Monrovia, applauding the $1.8 billion deal, calling it a major economic milestone. The statement hinted that the agreement may have been one of the key outcomes of the Boakai–Trump meeting.

Reflecting on Liberia’s democratic evolution, Toner praised the nation’s progress since 2003. “Liberia has come a long way,” he said, highlighting two peaceful transfers of power and the continued peaceful presence of former presidents in the country.

Ambassador Toner, who began his tenure in August 2024, is set to retire from the U.S. Foreign Service earlier than originally planned. Editing by Jonathan Browne