By Wilfred Duosi
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) has shut down more than thirty (30) shops and stores in Monrovia and its surrounding areas for imposing unjustified price increases on essential commodities.
Making the disclosure on Tuesday, February 2, 2026, Commerce Minister Magdalene E. Dagoseh said the closures followed inspections of several business centers where authorities observed arbitrary price hikes on basic goods.
Minister Dagoseh noted that the price of a bag of rice, for instance, has increased from US$14 to US$14.50 in some markets without clear justification.
According to her, such actions undermine price stability and further worsen the economic hardship faced by ordinary Liberians.
She made the remarks while speaking at the Monetary Policy Communiqué Meeting held on Monday at the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL).
During the meeting, the minister highlighted key challenges confronting the Ministry and disclosed that a nationwide inspection exercise is currently underway.
She warned that any business found increasing prices unlawfully or refusing to display price tags will face stiff penalties, including fines or immediate closure.
Meanwhile, the minister has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enforcing price regulations and taking decisive action to ensure affordability and protect consumers, particularly members of the general public.
