𝗛OR 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗵𝗼𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

The Plenary of the House of Representatives has voted to ratify the Concession and Access Agreement (CAA) entered into between the Government of Liberia, Société des Mines de Fer de Guinée (SMFG), and Ivanhoe Liberia Limited. The decision was reached on Thursday during the 17th Day Sitting of the 3rd Quarter of the 2nd Session, following the submission of a comprehensive report from the Joint Committee on Investment & Concessions, Judiciary, Ways & Means, and Good Governance, mandated to review the agreement. 

The Joint Committee presented findings following an extensive review of the CAA dated July 5, 2025, and testimonies from members of the Inter-Ministerial Concessions Committee (IMCC). The report says on August 19, 2021, the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Transport, granted SMFG/Ivanhoe a conditional Right of Access for export of Guinean iron ore through Liberia. After negotiations, the IMCC and SMFG/Ivanhoe signed the CAA, which received attestation from the Ministry of Justice and was subsequently approved by the President and submitted to the Legislature for ratification. 

The report inserts that the CAA grants SMFG and Ivanhoe Liberia Limited a 25-year right to transport iron ore from Guinea through Liberia using the existing rail line and the Port of Buchanan. Concessionaires are required to upgrade rail capacity and improve the Buchanan Commercial Quay to support safe, multi-user operations. The report says Liberia will serve as a transit route for industrial goods destined for Guinea. 

• The agreement provides for: o 1.5% customs user fee on imports (CIF-based) o US$500,000 annual customs transit fee Infrastructure Investments 

• Phase 1: Over US$64 million in rail and port upgrades. 

• Phase 2: Approximately US$888 million in rail expansion and port improvements — totaling nearly US$1 billion in direct Liberian infrastructure investments. The Concessionaires will make the following payments: 

• US$1 million — within 10 business days after signing • US$10 million — within 10 business days after the Effective Date 

• US$15 million — on the Commencement Date 

• US$2.33 million — upon enactment of the NRA Act 

• US$3.33 million — upon appointment of the Independent Operator 

• US$3.33 million — first anniversary of the appointment 

• Rail Access Fee: sliding scale of US$1.95 to US$1.55 per ton, indexed to inflation 

• Cross-Border Transit Fee: US$0.10 per wet ton 

• A previously advanced US$37 million remains non-refundable unless access is denied. The CAA provides a structured Community Development Fund: 

• Year 1: US$1 million 

• Year 2–3: US$1.5 million annually 

• Year 4–5: US$2.5 million annually 

• Year 6 onward: US$5 million annually This totals more than US$110 million for communities along the rail corridor. 

• Over US$1 billion in projected rail access fee revenues 

• Approximately US$176 million in additional taxes and duties 

• Preference for Liberian employment at all levels 

• Preference for Liberian businesses in goods and service supply 

• Mandatory compliance with Liberia’s environmental, safety, and medical standards 

• 2026: Project development begins (pending ratification) 

• 2027: First shipment of 2–5 million tons annually 

• Phase 2: Increase to 30 million tons per year after feasibility studies 

• ArcelorMittal Liberia remains operator until September 23, 2030 

• Thereafter, rail use transitions to a multi-user regime managed by a neutral Independent Operator under the National Rail Authority. Representatives from the IMCC stated that the agreement will: 

• Boost national revenue 

• Create direct and indirect jobs 

• Expand Liberia’s rail capacity 

• Strengthen regional economic integration 

• Support multi-user rail governance in the national interest All required approvals were confirmed to have been obtained. 

• Ivanhoe Atlantic completed and submitted an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) to the EPA. 

• The ESIA included extensive consultations with communities along the Yekepa-Buchanan corridor and provides grievance mechanisms and environmental/social management plans. The Joint Committee concluded that the CAA: 

• Will benefit Liberia, 

• Supports the goals of the Mano River Union and ECOWAS, and 

• Should be ratified without reservation. Following debate, a motion by Hon. Sekou Kanneh of Montserrado County District #2 was endorsed by Plenary, thereby passing the Agreement and forwarding it to the Liberian Senate for concurrence.