NATIONAL NEWS
NAIROBI, KENYA – The Government of Liberia, through the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kenyan-based Thames Electrical Limited for the establishment of Liberia’s first electrical manufacturing plant.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
The agreement, valued at approximately US$26 million, was signed on the margins of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi and is expected to strengthen Liberia’s energy sector, expand industrial capacity, and deepen economic cooperation between Liberia and Kenya.
According to the agreement, the proposed facility will manufacture transformers, conductors, switchgears, smart meters, and other electrical materials locally.
According to the Executive Mansion, the project will reduce Liberia’s dependence on imported electrical equipment while improving the availability and efficiency of power infrastructure across the country.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Joseph Nyuma Boakai described the initiative as a major breakthrough in Liberia’s efforts to modernize and localize its energy infrastructure.
“This represents the beginning of the end of Liberia’s dependence on imported electrical materials,” President Boakai said. “By producing these materials locally, we will drastically reduce procurement and delivery timelines while creating opportunities for industrial growth and job creation.”
The Liberian leader said reliable energy infrastructure remains essential to economic growth, regional integration, and improving the living conditions of citizens.
He added that the investment could position Liberia to meet domestic energy demands while also serving emerging opportunities within the wider West African market.
President Boakai further stated that the agreement aligns with his administration’s goals of promoting industrial development, infrastructure expansion, technology transfer, and private sector investment.
“Liberia is open to business, and my Administration remains committed to creating an environment where credible investors can partner with us in advancing industrial development, infrastructure expansion, technology transfer, and job creation for our people,” he noted.
The President also stressed the importance of increasing manufacturing and value addition within Africa instead of relying heavily on imported finished products.
“This is not just an agreement; it is a pathway to transformation,” he added.
President Boakai highlighted Liberia’s strategic location and its regional energy interconnections with neighboring countries, including Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire, saying the project could position Liberia as a regional hub for electrical equipment supply in West Africa.
The agreement follows ongoing bilateral engagements between Liberia and Kenya, including discussions between President Boakai and William S. Ruto, during which electrical manufacturing was identified as a priority area for cooperation.
For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Thames Electrical Limited welcomed the partnership and thanked the Government of Liberia for its confidence in the company.
He described the signing as an important milestone and pledged the company’s commitment to delivering quality services and working closely with Liberian partners.
The CEO also said stronger intra-African partnerships remain critical to the continent’s development and expressed hope that the investment would encourage more Kenyan businesses to explore opportunities in Liberia.
“We will do our best to make Kenya proud in Liberia and ensure that Liberia feels that our countries are not just on the same continent, but are like family,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the Liberia Electricity Corporation, Mohammed Sheriff, welcomed the investment and said the project would significantly reduce procurement timelines for electrical materials in Liberia.
