Liberia’s Ambassador to France, Dr. Teeko T. Yorlay, has held talks with the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF) to strengthen economic cooperation and attract French investments to Liberia.
The meeting, which took place at the Liberian Embassy in Paris on February 26, 2025, brought together Ambassador Yorlay and Mr. Alexandre Elezzi, MEDEF’s Head of North & West Africa. Discussions focused on fostering business partnerships and encouraging French enterprises to explore investment opportunities in Liberia.
Ambassador Yorlay highlighted Liberia’s commitment to improving its investment climate under the leadership of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. He emphasized the Boakai administration’s ongoing governance reforms and anti-corruption measures, which aim to create a transparent and business-friendly environment. According to the Ambassador, Liberia offers significant investment potential in agriculture, transportation, energy, tourism, and natural resource exploration.
“The Boakai administration is instituting policies that will create an enabling environment for investments, ensuring that Liberia is an attractive destination for French businesses,” Ambassador Yorlay said. He also outlined Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), which prioritizes foreign investment as a key pillar for national economic growth.
During the meeting, Ambassador Yorlay referenced a previous discussion between Presidents Joseph Boakai and Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the 2024 United Nations General Assembly. He reiterated Liberia’s interest in deepening economic collaboration and urged MEDEF to explore new business ventures aligned with Liberia’s development goals.
In response, Mr. Elezzi welcomed Ambassador Yorlay’s engagement and expressed MEDEF’s willingness to expand business relations with Liberia. He disclosed that approximately 20 French companies are already operating in Liberia, particularly in the maritime and renewable energy sectors.
To further boost cooperation, Mr. Elezzi outlined two key initiatives. MEDEF plans to send a high-level French business delegation to Liberia in October or November 2025, allowing investors to engage directly with Liberian officials and business leaders. Additionally, MEDEF will organize meetings for visiting Liberian delegations to facilitate discussions on trade and investment opportunities.
Ambassador Yorlay also proposed a business engagement between Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung and MEDEF during the Vice President’s upcoming visit to France for the Global Nutrition Summit in March 2025. Mr. Elezzi agreed to host the meeting at MEDEF’s headquarters, tentatively scheduling it for March 27 or 30, pending confirmation from the Vice President’s office.
Beyond economic discussions, Mr. Elezzi sought clarification on Liberia’s diplomatic position regarding the recent suspension of USAID projects and its stance on global security issues, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Sahel region’s instability.
Ambassador Yorlay reassured MEDEF of Liberia’s strong historical ties with the United States and stated that the government is exploring alternative funding sources through international partners, including the French Development Agency (AFD). On global security matters, he reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to peace and diplomacy while expressing hope for a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The meeting concluded with both parties expressing optimism about future collaborations. Ambassador Yorlay assured MEDEF that the Liberian government is prepared to facilitate investment opportunities, while Mr. Elezzi reiterated MEDEF’s readiness to strengthen the French business presence in Liberia.
