By: Julius Konton
Liberia’s concession governance architecture has entered a new phase with the appointment of Hon. Hanson Senu Kiazolu Sr. as Director General of the National Bureau of Concessions (NBC), the statutory body charged with monitoring, evaluating, and enforcing concession agreements across the country.
Hon. Kiazolu was appointed by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., confirmed by the Liberian Senate on November 28, 2025, and formally assumed office on Monday, December 1, 2025.
His appointment comes at a time when concession activities account for an estimated 20–25 percent of Liberia’s GDP, spanning the mining, forestry, agriculture, energy, and infrastructure sectors, and involving over 30 active concession agreements with both multinational and domestic investors.
A CAREER ROOTED IN PUBLIC FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT
Hon. Kiazolu brings to the NBC more than two decades of experience in public financial management, legislative oversight, and institutional reform, making him one of the most technically grounded officials to ever lead the Bureau.
His previous roles include:
Deputy Comptroller for Accounting Services, a position he held twice, overseeing government accounting systems and expenditure controls;
Comptroller and Accountant General of the Republic of Liberia, where he supervised national public accounts and fiscal reporting;
Lead Consultant for the establishment of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) at the Liberian Legislature, now one of the country’s most critical accountability institutions.
The PAC currently plays a central role in scrutinizing billions of Liberian dollars in public spending annually, a system Hon. Kiazolu helped design and institutionalize.
LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE ADDS OVERSIGHT EDGE
In 2017, Hon. Kiazolu served as a Member of the House of Representatives for Montserrado County District #17, where he was actively involved in budget scrutiny, public accounts review, and oversight of government agencies.
This legislative experience, analysts say, uniquely positions him to navigate the intersection between executive implementation and legislative accountability, particularly as the NBC reports to both the President and the National Legislature.
A NEW VISION FOR THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF CONCESSIONS
As Director General, Hon. Kiazolu is advancing a reform-driven agenda centered on:
Transparency and compliance monitoring of concession agreements;
Stronger inter-agency coordination with line ministries, the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA),the Environmental Protevtion Agency (EPA) the, General Auditing Commission,(GAC) and development partners;
Technical support throughout the concession lifecycle from negotiation and ratification to performance evaluation and exit compliance.
He has also emphasized the need for:
Increased budgetary allocation to the NBC, citing the growing scale and complexity of concession operations;
Annual national concession compliance reports to be submitted to the President and the Legislature;
Data-driven oversight mechanisms, including performance scorecards and sectoral audits.
ALIGNMENT WITH THE ARREST AGENDA
Hon. Kiazolu has publicly aligned the NBC’s strategic direction with President Boakai’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, focusing on:
Accountability in natural resource governance;
Revenue mobilization for national development;
Social benefits enforcement, including community development funds and local employment obligations.
According to NBC estimates, effective enforcement of concession obligations could increase national revenues by tens of millions of US dollars annually, while reducing disputes and strengthening investor confidence.
ETHICS, SERVICE, AND INSTITUTIONAL CREDIBILITY
Colleagues and governance observers describe Hon. Kiazolu as a disciplined, ethical, and people-centered public servant, known for professional integrity and firm adherence to rules.
His leadership philosophy emphasizes:
Zero tolerance for ethical breaches;
Institutional credibility over political convenience;
Public interest as the core driver of concession governance.
A CRITICAL MOMENT FOR CONCESSIONS GOVERNANCE
With Liberia seeking to restore international confidence, expand domestic revenue, and ensure equitable benefits from its natural resources, the leadership of the NBC is widely regarded as pivotal.
Hon. Hanson Senu Kiazolu Sr.’s appointment signals what many see as a return to technocratic leadership, placing public finance expertise at the center of concessions oversight in a sector that touches nearly every aspect of Liberia’s economy.
Editor’s Note
This profile examines the professional background, public service record, and policy orientation of Hon. Hanson Senu Kiazolu Sr. following his appointment as Director General of the National Bureau of Concessions (NBC).
At a time when concessions account for a significant share of Liberia’s economic activity and remain central to debates on transparency, revenue generation, and equitable development, the leadership of the NBC carries heightened national importance.
The article situates Hon. Kiazolu’s appointment within the broader context of Liberia’s concession governance framework, highlighting his extensive experience in public financial management, legislative oversight, and institutional reform.
It also outlines the reform priorities and accountability measures he is expected to advance as the Bureau aligns its work with the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
This editorial note underscores that the analysis presented is intended to inform public discourse on governance and policy, rather than to confer endorsement.
Readers are encouraged to assess the performance of the new NBC leadership against measurable outcomes in transparency, compliance, and national benefit realization from concession agreements.
