By: Julius Konton
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to attracting world-class investors, declaring that his administration is prepared to partner with credible international companies capable of accelerating sustainable economic growth, creating jobs, and transforming the country’s vast natural wealth into lasting prosperity.
The President made the remarks while hosting a high-level delegation from Australian multinational Fortescue, led by its Executive Chairman, billionaire businessman and philanthropist Dr. Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest, during a dinner held at his Rehab Community Office.
The meeting comes as Liberia intensifies efforts to position itself as one of West Africa’s emerging investment destinations under the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), which prioritizes agriculture, infrastructure, industrialization, energy, governance, and human capital development.
Addressing members of the delegation, President Boakai said Liberia has entered a new chapter of transparency, accountability, and economic reform aimed at restoring investor confidence after years of economic and governance challenges.
“Our government is committed to creating a stable, predictable and investment-friendly environment where responsible businesses can thrive while delivering meaningful benefits to the Liberian people,” President Boakai said.
He assured the visitors that Liberia remains committed to protecting legitimate investments through improved governance, policy reforms, and strengthened public institutions.
“Let me assure you that during this visit, you will erase whatever memories you may have from any previous visit that was not favorable,” the President remarked.
Boakai emphasized that Liberia seeks investors who are committed to long-term partnerships rather than short-term resource extraction.
“We are prepared to work with people who are serious about making good things happen for our country and our people,” he added.
The President highlighted Liberia’s enormous natural advantages, describing the country as one of Africa’s most resource-rich yet underdeveloped economies.
Liberia hosts more than 40 percent of the remaining Upper Guinean Rainforest, one of the world’s most biologically diverse tropical forests and possesses abundant reserves of iron ore, gold, diamonds, bauxite, timber, fertile agricultural land, freshwater resources, and an Atlantic coastline stretching approximately 580 kilometers, providing significant opportunities for fisheries, ports, maritime trade, and the blue economy.
With a population estimated at over 5.7 million people, Liberia continues to pursue economic diversification beyond its traditional dependence on mining and rubber exports.
According to international financial institutions, Liberia’s economy is projected to grow by approximately 5.5 percent in 2026, driven largely by mining expansion, infrastructure development, agriculture, and increasing foreign direct investment.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Fortescue Executive Chairman Dr. Andrew Forrest said the company’s visit was intended to better understand Liberia’s development priorities while identifying opportunities for strategic collaboration.
He disclosed that Fortescue is assessing prospects in:
Modern agriculture
Railway infrastructure
Logistics and transport
Sustainable resource development
Blue economy initiatives
Dr. Forrest said Liberia possesses significant untapped economic opportunities capable of transforming the country’s future if managed sustainably.
“We are here to better understand Liberia’s opportunities and determine how we can help unlock that potential for the benefit of future generations and the Liberian people,” he said.
Beyond commercial investment, Dr. Forrest announced that the Minderoo Foundation, Australia’s largest philanthropic organization, is interested in collaborating with Liberia’s JNB Foundation to support President Boakai’s vision for sustainable national development.
The proposed partnership would focus on long-term initiatives designed to improve livelihoods, strengthen communities, and promote inclusive socio-economic development while creating opportunities for future generations.
Founded in 2003, Fortescue has evolved into one of the world’s leading mining, metals, logistics, infrastructure, and green energy companies.
Headquartered in Australia, the company is among the world’s largest producers of iron ore and has increasingly diversified into renewable energy, green hydrogen production, and sustainable infrastructure development across several continents.
The company employs tens of thousands of people worldwide and has become internationally recognized for its large-scale mining operations and investments in clean energy technologies.
Dr. Andrew Forrest, widely known as “Twiggy” Forrest, ranks among Australia’s most influential entrepreneurs and philanthropists.
Besides leading Fortescue, he founded Tattarang, one of Australia’s largest privately owned investment groups with interests spanning agriculture, energy, healthcare, technology, real estate, and infrastructure.
He also established the Minderoo Foundation, Australia’s largest philanthropic organization, supported by an endowment of approximately US$9 billion.
The foundation invests globally in education, public health, environmental conservation, ocean sustainability, modern slavery eradication, Indigenous development, and scientific research.
The meeting reflects Liberia’s broader campaign to attract responsible foreign direct investment capable of accelerating infrastructure development, expanding agricultural production, modernizing transportation networks, increasing exports, and creating thousands of employment opportunities for Liberians.
Government officials believe strategic partnerships with globally respected firms such as Fortescue could help unlock Liberia’s enormous economic potential while supporting President Boakai’s vision of building a resilient, diversified, and inclusive economy capable of delivering sustainable prosperity for future generations.
