MONROVIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has renewed and refocused the mandate establishing the Liberia National Railway Authority (LNRA), reinforcing his administration’s commitment to building a modern, regulated, and inclusive railway sector that will serve as a backbone for national development. The move comes through Executive Order No. 153, which extends the life of Executive Order No. 136 issued in October 2024 and lays the groundwork for transforming the temporary regulatory framework into a permanent, independent authority.
President Boakai said the decision reflects the strategic importance of railway infrastructure to Liberia’s long-term economic agenda. “Railways are critical enablers of national development and regional integration. This Executive Order demonstrates our commitment to creating a modern and transparent regulatory system that ensures equitable access and sustainable management of our railway assets,” the President stated in the Order.
The Liberia National Railway Authority will continue as the national regulatory and facilitative body responsible for promoting railway development. It will oversee the formulation and implementation of national rail policy, ensure equitable multi-user access, maintain safety standards, and uphold operational efficiency and sustainability. The LNRA will remain in force pending the enactment of enabling legislation by the Legislature to formalize its permanent status.
Under the renewed order, the Government will engage a qualified advisory and technical entity with international expertise to support the institutional, legal, financial, and technical development of the railway sector. This advisory entity will work under the supervision of the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs in close consultation with relevant agencies. A Rail Authority Liaison Officer will also be appointed, supported by staff seconded from the Civil Service Agency, to facilitate the implementation of the Executive Order.
One of the critical tasks of the advisory entity will be to draft legislation for the formal establishment of the Liberia National Railway Authority and harmonize existing laws and regulations to align with international best practices. It will also design the governance and organizational structure of the Authority, propose training and capacity-building programs for Liberian professionals, and create oversight mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability.
The Executive Order places strong emphasis on fostering multi-user access to railway corridors, a move aimed at boosting participation from mining, agriculture, forestry, and other productive sectors. The advisory entity will be tasked with drafting model concession agreements and developing dispute resolution mechanisms between operators and users to ensure fairness and competitiveness in the sector.
A comprehensive diagnostic study of the railway sector will also be conducted, with feasibility assessments for modernization and expansion of existing corridors, particularly the Yekepa–Buchanan line, which remains one of Liberia’s most strategic railway assets. The advisory entity will propose financing models, including public-private partnerships and blended finance instruments, to support these ambitious infrastructure goals.
The renewed framework also sets out detailed safety and compliance standards consistent with global benchmarks. These include operational guidelines for signaling systems, rolling stock, and maintenance protocols, as well as mechanisms to monitor and enforce regulatory compliance.
Stakeholder engagement is another key feature of the Executive Order. The government will consult with ministries, concessionaires, local communities, and development partners to ensure coordinated implementation. Public communication strategies will be developed to raise awareness about the economic and social benefits of modern railway infrastructure, while alignment with ECOWAS regional rail policy will also be pursued.
Environmental and social safeguards will be integrated into all railway development plans. The advisory entity will develop frameworks consistent with Liberia’s climate commitments, ensuring that projects incorporate climate resilience, address resettlement and compensation concerns, and promote benefit-sharing with affected communities.
President Boakai emphasized that this renewed and refocused approach to railway development is essential for Liberia’s transformation. “We must build infrastructure that serves all Liberians, creating jobs, opening up our economy, and connecting communities. The railway sector will be a catalyst for inclusive growth if managed transparently and professionally,” he declared.
Executive Order No. 153 takes immediate effect and will remain in force until the Legislature passes the formal law establishing the Liberia National Railway Authority or until it is revoked or amended by the President. With this decision, the Boakai administration signals a decisive push toward modernizing Liberia’s infrastructure landscape in line with global standards.
