Liberia Secures US$18 Million Rubber Processing Investment Amidst Export Ban
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has presented a proposed US$18 million Investment Incentive Agreement to the Liberian Legislature for review. This significant agreement, between the Government of Liberia and CGL International Ltd., signals a strategic push towards domestic value addition in the natural resources sector. The investment is earmarked for the establishment and operation of a natural rubber processing and production facility in Bong County.
The proposed facility will not only process natural rubber but also engage in the manufacturing of cocoa powder, wood products, and rain boots. This multi-faceted approach is projected to create approximately 300 direct jobs, thereby fostering substantial value addition within Liberia’s agricultural sector and stimulating economic growth through enhanced local manufacturing capabilities.
This substantial investment proposal follows closely on the heels of President Boakai’s Executive Order No. 166, issued on June 26, 2026, which imposes an indefinite ban on the export of unprocessed natural rubber, effective July 1, 2026. This decisive regulatory action is a cornerstone of the administration’s strategy to accelerate Liberia’s industrialisation by ensuring that a greater proportion of the nation’s natural rubber is processed domestically before any export occurs.
The rationale behind Executive Order No. 166, as articulated by the Boakai administration, addresses Liberia’s historical reliance on exporting raw rubber, a practice that has yielded limited value addition, job creation, and government revenue. By mandating local processing, the government aims to stimulate domestic manufacturing, generate employment opportunities, boost export earnings and fiscal revenue, attract further investment in rubber-processing industries, and crucially, reduce the country’s dependence on exporting raw materials.
This initiative builds upon previous governmental efforts. In December 2023, former President George Weah issued Executive Order No. 124, which instituted a temporary restriction on unprocessed natural rubber exports. Following his inauguration, President Boakai commissioned an inter-agency review of this policy. The subsequent issuance of Executive Order No. 166, making the restriction more comprehensive and indefinite, underscores the current administration’s commitment to expanding value-added manufacturing and strengthening Liberia’s industrial base. This move is of particular interest to investors, compliance officers, and legal counsel navigating the evolving regulatory landscape of Liberia’s resource-based economy.
