Mount Coffee, Montserrado County – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. on Friday dedicated a 20-megawatt solar farm at Mount Coffee, describing the facility as a major breakthrough in Liberia’s energy sector and a critical investment aimed at accelerating economic growth, industrialization, and nationwide electricity access.
The dedication ceremony, held in Harrisburg, Montserrado County, marked another milestone in the government’s efforts to strengthen Liberia’s fragile power infrastructure, which has for decades remained one of the country’s most pressing developmental constraints.
Addressing government officials, development partners, energy sector stakeholders, and local residents, President Boakai said the newly commissioned solar facility represents more than an energy project, calling it a symbol of progress, economic opportunity, and national transformation.
“It marks significant progress in our efforts to address one of Liberia’s longstanding challenges: access to reliable, affordable electricity,” the President said.
Boakai emphasized that the project was completed in less than 24 months after groundbreaking on October 11, 2024, a timeline he said reflects his administration’s commitment to rapidly delivering essential public services.
“We are in a hurry to deliver services to the Liberian people,” he declared.
The President stressed that reliable electricity remains indispensable to Liberia’s broader development agenda, noting that sustainable energy is fundamental to healthcare delivery, education, communication, commerce, and industrial expansion.
For years, Liberia’s limited electricity supply and high energy costs have constrained economic productivity, discouraged investment, and slowed industrial development. President Boakai acknowledged these longstanding challenges, arguing that expanding electricity access remains central to unlocking economic opportunities and improving livelihoods.
He disclosed that through the RESPITE Project, backed by the World Bank and other development partners, Liberia continues to add clean and renewable energy to the national grid as part of efforts to strengthen energy security.
The Liberian leader further revealed that 22 megawatts of lost generation capacity at Mount Coffee have already been restored, while preparations are underway to add another 42 megawatts to the country’s energy mix.
According to President Boakai, the government is also advancing its National Energy Compact to extend electricity access to underserved communities across the country.
President Boakai linked electricity expansion to his administration’s broader economic ambitions, particularly efforts to diversify Liberia’s economy through manufacturing and local value addition.
He said Liberia must move beyond exporting raw materials by processing more of its agricultural produce, minerals, timber, and other natural resources domestically to generate jobs and retain economic value.
“Reliable electricity is essential to that effort,” he said, emphasizing that factories, processing plants, and industries cannot function competitively without dependable power.
President Boakai unveiled his administration’s ambition to build a vibrant 24-hour economy, where businesses, industries, transport systems, and commercial activities can operate productively beyond daylight hours.
“A modern economy should not come to a halt when daylight ends,” he asserted, adding that improved electricity access would expand productivity, encourage entrepreneurship, and create additional employment opportunities, particularly for Liberia’s growing youth population.
The President also highlighted the security implications of electricity access, noting that well-lit streets, schools, hospitals, markets, and public spaces contribute to safer communities and improved public confidence.
He commented engineers, contractors, investors, development partners, and community residents whose contributions made the solar project possible.
He praised the leadership of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), including Managing Director Mohammed M. Sherif, the Board of Directors, and technical staff for advancing the country’s energy development agenda.
President Boakai noted that much work remains, underscoring the need to expand transmission and distribution networks to ensure the benefits of electricity reach communities nationwide.
“Our goal is clear: to remove the obstacles to growth, improve public services, create opportunities for our citizens, and build a more prosperous and inclusive nation,” Boakai said.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructure investments designed to power Liberia’s long-term development.
The Mount Coffee solar farm forms part of Liberia’s increasing shift toward renewable energy as the government seeks sustainable solutions to persistent electricity shortages while positioning the country for stronger economic growth.
