Liberia’s Minister of Mines and Energy R. Matenokay Tingban has called for increased private-sector investment in the country’s mineral and energy sectors, saying reliable geological data, infrastructure and practical partnerships are needed to unlock its natural resource potential.
Tingban made the comments during a fireside interview at the University Club in New York led by author and former CBS News correspondent Jacqueline Adams.
The government-led engagement was aimed at showcasing Liberia’s mineral potential and investment opportunities in mining, energy and other productive sectors.
The discussion was followed by questions from U.S.-based investors, business leaders and other stakeholders interested in investment opportunities in Liberia, particularly its mineral resources and related industries.
Tingban said Liberia needed to move from prolonged discussions to practical action that would create jobs, expand infrastructure and generate economic benefits for its people.
“We want to graduate from theory to practicality,” Tingban said.
He said Liberia had significant mineral potential beyond its traditional iron ore, gold and diamond resources, adding that recent geochemical work had identified indications of additional mineral resources, including some with potential strategic importance.
However, he said further geological studies were needed to establish the location, quantity, quality and commercial viability of those resources.
“No data, no deal,” Tingban said, stressing the importance of reliable geoscientific information in helping the government make informed decisions and negotiate mineral development agreements.
He said the government’s immediate priority was to generate comprehensive geological data using modern technology.
Such data, he said, would help identify mineral resources more accurately, reduce investment risks and provide a stronger basis for negotiations with investors.
“Once we generate the data, we know exactly what to discuss when we get to the table,” he said.
Tingban also said mineral development would require adequate infrastructure, including roads, railways, ports and other transportation networks linking mines to markets.
He described the approach as an integrated system in which mineral production, transportation infrastructure, ports and international markets work together to support investment and economic growth.
Turning to the energy sector, Tingban highlighted Liberia’s potential for solar and hydropower development, saying reliable and affordable electricity was essential to industrialisation, mineral processing and value addition.
He pointed to ongoing and proposed renewable energy and hydropower projects as potential areas for private investment, saying Liberia’s electricity generation capacity remained below potential demand.
Tingban said value addition to Liberia’s natural resources would also depend on access to reliable and affordable electricity.
“We need value addition, and how do we sustain value addition without stable, affordable and accessible power,” he quizzed.
Liberia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy has previously said the country’s electricity access increased from 32.7% in 2024 to 38% in 2026, while installed generation capacity stood at 146 megawatts, mainly from hydropower and solar.
The ministry has estimated that implementing Liberia’s Mission 300 Energy Compact would require about $1.5 billion in investment.
Tingban encouraged investors to consider opportunities in mineral exploration, energy, infrastructure and related industries, saying the government was seeking partnerships that could support long-term investment.
“We are inviting investment into Liberia,” he said.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy has said it is working to strengthen geological research, mineral-sector governance and energy development as part of efforts to attract investment and increase the contribution of the country’s natural resources to economic development.
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