The Liberia Standards Authority (LiSA) is charting a new course with an ambitious five-year vision aimed at transforming the institution into a key driver of national economic growth and development. On Monday, Director General Hon. Stephen Mambu announced a strategic plan designed to establish LiSA as a fully capable organization by 2029, equipped to meet the country’s needs for viable and sustainable conformity assessment services. Hon. Mambu's vision focuses on enhancing the competitiveness of local industries and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by improving standardization.
The goal is to facilitate trade and ensure the health and safety of Liberian citizens all critical components for national progress. To achieve this, Director Mambu introduced an eight-point strategic plan: Institutional Direction: LiSA will align its leadership and operations with national and regional quality policies and Liberia’s national development agenda, the ARREST Agenda. Infrastructure Development: A comprehensive plan will address both short- and long-term needs, including renovations, new construction, and the establishment of modern facilities. Organizational Development: The institution will undergo systematic reforms to create clearly defined structures, policies, and governance principles that promote transparency and accountability.
Human Capacity Building: Targeted programs will strengthen staff competencies and technical expertise to ensure efficient service delivery. Business Development and Sustainability: LiSA will expand its business operations, including conformity assessment services and revenue-generating mechanisms, to ensure institutional sustainability. National Standardization Program: A national program will be formulated to support local industries, farmers, and SMEs.
This will include strengthening measurement systems, inspection services, certification, and specialized training. Consumer Protection and Compliance: Regulatory systems will be enhanced to safeguard consumers and the environment through effective compliance and verification programs for both imported and locally manufactured high-risk products. Market Access for Liberian Products: Targeted programs will be developed to increase market access for Liberian agricultural and food products in high-value markets.
Hon. Mambu emphasized that this strategic plan will not only strengthen LiSA’s institutional capacity but also help Liberia meet international quality standards. He stated, “This strategic plan will not only strengthen LiSA’s institutional capacity but also help Liberia meet international quality standards, improve trade competitiveness, and create opportunities for economic growth.”
