By Smart News Liberia
NAIROBI, KENYA – The Government of Liberia has taken a major step toward strengthening the country’s energy and industrial sectors after signing a US$26 million agreement with Kenyan-based Thames Electrical Limited to establish Liberia’s first electrical manufacturing plant.
The agreement, signed Tuesday, May 12, on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, was executed through the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) and is expected to significantly reduce Liberia’s dependence on imported electrical materials and equipment.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the proposed manufacturing facility will produce transformers, conductors, switchgears, smart meters, and several other electrical products locally for use across Liberia and potentially the wider West African region.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Joseph Nyuma Boakai described the project as a major milestone in Liberia’s ongoing efforts to modernize its energy infrastructure and promote industrial growth.
“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.”
President Boakai emphasized that improving energy infrastructure remains critical to Liberia’s economic transformation, regional integration, and the improvement of living conditions for ordinary citizens. According to him, the project also positions Liberia to benefit from growing opportunities within the regional energy market.
The Liberian leader further stated that the agreement aligns with his administration’s broader agenda to promote industrialization, attract foreign investment, encourage technology transfer, and expand employment opportunities for Liberians.
“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,” Boakai added.
The President also stressed the importance of increasing manufacturing activities across Africa, noting that the continent must move beyond excessive dependence on imported finished goods and instead focus on local production and value addition.
He highlighted Liberia’s strategic geographical location and existing regional energy connections with neighboring countries, including Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire, stating that the project could position Liberia as a regional hub for electrical equipment supply in West Africa.
The agreement follows ongoing diplomatic and economic engagements between Liberia and Kenya, including recent discussions between President Boakai and Kenyan President William S. Ruto, during which electrical manufacturing was identified as a key area for bilateral cooperation.
The Chief Executive Officer of Thames Electrical Limited welcomed the partnership and thanked the Liberian government for the confidence placed in the company. He described the agreement as an important milestone and pledged the company’s commitment to delivering quality services and maintaining strong collaboration with Liberian partners.
The company’s CEO also emphasized the importance of stronger intra-African partnerships, expressing 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,” the CEO stated.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Sheriff welcomed the investment and noted that local manufacturing of electrical materials would significantly reduce procurement delays and improve the efficiency of power infrastructure development across the country.
