By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr.
The Liberia Special Economic Zones Authority (LSEZA) has officially handed over the project site for the Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Grand Bassa County to construction firm HM & A, marking a major step forward in the Government of Liberia’s agro-industrial development drive.
The site turnover follows the awarding of an African Development Bank (AfDB)-funded contract under which HM & A will carry out site clearing, fencing, preparation of access for power transmission lines, and construction of a 4.7-kilometer access road leading to the proposed agro-industrial park.
The project, expected to span 18 months, covers more than 210 hectares of land earmarked for the establishment of a modern agro-processing and industrial hub.
According to authorities, the land was voluntarily provided by residents of affected communities and secured through the Government of Liberia’s approved Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), ensuring compliance with national and international standards.
Speaking at the turnover ceremony on behalf of Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration, Dr. Macdonald Metzger, said the SAPZ project reflects the government’s commitment to job creation, inclusive growth, and value addition in the agricultural sector.
He noted that the initiative is expected to unlock investment opportunities, boost agro-processing, and enhance Liberia’s competitiveness in regional and international markets.
For his part, LSEZA Executive Chairman Prince Wreh said the handover signals the transition from planning to full implementation.
He explained that LSEZA was established to develop investment-ready economic zones and that the SAPZ will serve as a catalyst for export expansion, agro-industrial development, and large-scale employment, particularly for residents of Grand Bassa County.
The SAPZ is expected to create jobs for surrounding communities while attracting both local and foreign investors to a fully prepared greenfield industrial site designed to boost exports and stimulate economic growth.
The ceremony was attended by the Senate Pro Tempore, the Superintendent of Grand Bassa County, and members of the county’s legislative caucus, who pledged their support for transforming Grand Bassa into a strategic trade and industrial hub.
The SAPZ initiative forms part of LSEZA’s statutory mandate to develop Special Economic Zones across Liberia as drivers of industrialization, investment attraction, and sustainable economic transformation.
