AGP Executive Report

Renewable Energy Push: The House of Representatives ratified a US$57M loan to expand Mount Coffee’s solar generation from 20MW to 30MW and add 12MW/12MWh battery storage, aiming to boost grid stability and cut reliance on thermal power. Anti-Illegal Mining Drive: Liberia launched the Protect Our Resources Taskforce (PORT) to crack down on illegal mining and mineral smuggling, citing environmental damage, revenue losses, and concession violations. Mining Law Reform: The EPA urged tougher environmental and mining laws after monitoring found illegal mechanized mining harming forests, rivers, wetlands, and farmlands, especially in Gbarpolu. Carbon Finance Bid: UNDP backed Liberia’s carbon market drive, pushing for a credible policy and regulatory framework to unlock climate finance while protecting forest-dependent communities. Women, Peace & Security: Liberia validated its Third National Action Plan (NAP III) through 2031, strengthening women’s roles in peacebuilding and governance—an issue tied to safer communities and long-term stability. Coastal Livelihoods: NaFAA signed an agreement to roll out a women-focused sustainable fisheries and livelihood incubator across Liberia’s nine coastal counties. Urban Clean Safety: LURP commissioned 650 solar streetlights across Bushrod Island to improve night visibility, safety, and deter crime.

Green Jobs & Just Transition: Nigeria’s FG and the ILO unveiled Phase II of its Social Dimension of Ecological Transition Project (2025–2029), aiming to turn climate commitments into decent work, green jobs, and stronger community resilience. Solar for Safer Cities: Liberia’s LURP commissioned 650 solar streetlights across 13.59 km on Bushrod Island, boosting night visibility and road safety in seven communities. Illegal Mining Crackdown: Liberia launched the Protect Our Resources Taskforce (PORT) to intensify intelligence-led enforcement against illegal mining, mineral smuggling, and related environmental damage. Mining Law Reform: Liberia’s EPA urged tougher environmental and mining laws as illegal mechanized mining expands, damaging forests, rivers, wetlands, and farmlands. Carbon Finance Push: UNDP backed Liberia’s drive to access global carbon markets, stressing a credible policy and regulatory framework to attract climate finance. Biodiversity Funding Plan: Stakeholders validated draft finance needs for Liberia’s biodiversity plan, pushing for sustainable resource mobilization to close conservation funding gaps. Flood Impacts: NDMA reported over 1,000 people affected by flooding from heavy rains, with risks to water sources and waterborne diseases. Youth Enterprise Support: UNDP and iCampus launched LiYEPA, a six-month pilot to boost youth entrepreneurship, SMEs, and job creation.

Mining Law Reform: Liberia’s EPA and lawmakers are pushing tougher rules as illegal mechanized mining grows, with consultations warning of damage to forests, rivers, wetlands, and farmlands plus revenue losses. Carbon Finance Push: Liberia is strengthening its partnership with UNDP to access global carbon markets, aiming for a credible policy and regulatory framework that can unlock climate finance while protecting forest-dependent communities. Flood Impacts: NDMA reports over 1,000 people affected by flooding from heavy rains, with risks to water sources, transport, livelihoods, and waterborne diseases likely to worsen. Sustainable Forest Management: EPA has wrapped up community consultations on a Reduced Impact Logging initiative under the EU-funded Leh Go Green project to boost biodiversity, climate resilience, and local livelihoods. Clean Transport (Air Pollution): Women in Monrovia are starting to drive electric kekehs, challenging gender norms while tackling emissions—though unreliable electricity and limited charging remain barriers. Education & Innovation Support: LPRC and LACE sign a US$165k deal for a student center at Grand Gedeh University, while Maersk Liberia donates five containers to Margibi University to create digital learning spaces.

Mining & Environment Oversight: The EPA urged the House to tighten Liberia’s mining and environmental laws, warning illegal mechanized mining is damaging forests, rivers, wetlands and farmlands—especially in Gbarpolu—while threatening public health and food security. Mining Sector Review: Lawmakers launched a public hearing to scrutinize mining licenses and push reforms to improve governance and boost government revenue. Carbon Finance Push: UNDP backed Liberia’s drive to access global carbon markets, stressing a credible policy and regulatory framework so forest-dependent communities can benefit while forests stay protected. Flood Impacts: NDMA reports over 1,000 people affected by flooding from heavy rains, with damage to homes, contaminated water sources, disrupted transport and rising waterborne disease risks. Forest Law Enforcement Pressure: In Grand Gedeh, resistance to forestry enforcement around Krahn-Grebo National Park highlights growing challenges in protecting protected areas. Cleaner Transport (Air Pollution): Women in Monrovia are taking up electric kekehs, aiming to cut emissions—though unreliable electricity and limited charging remain barriers. Biodiversity Funding Planning: Stakeholders validated draft finance needs for Liberia’s biodiversity plan, calling for sustainable resource mobilization to close conservation funding gaps. Youth & Jobs (Climate-linked): UNDP launched LiYEPA to support youth enterprises and job creation, including inclusion for women and persons with disabilities.

Flood Watch: Liberia’s NDMA reports over 1,000 people affected by ongoing heavy rainfall, with damage to homes, contaminated water sources, disrupted transport, and rising waterborne-disease risk—especially for low-lying coastal areas, wetlands, and riverside settlements. Forest Governance: EPA has concluded a stakeholder consultation on a Reduced Impact Logging initiative in Gbarpolu under the EU-backed Leh Go Green project, aiming to protect biodiversity and build climate resilience. Biodiversity Finance: Stakeholders validated a draft Financial Needs Assessment for Liberia’s Biodiversity Finance Plan, pushing for sustainable resource mobilization to close national conservation funding gaps. Clean Transport & Air Quality: Women in Monrovia are breaking barriers by driving electric kekehs, a move that could cut air pollution and emissions—though unreliable electricity and limited charging remain hurdles. Waste & Sanitation: Ghana’s Achimota-Abofu Transfer Station reopens after floods to restore waste collection and reduce post-flood sanitation strain, underscoring how quickly disasters can overwhelm waste systems. Land & Environment: Liberia’s Land Authority rolls out mandatory land-use permits to improve development control and environmental protection.

Flood Response: NDMA reports over 1,000 people affected by flooding across Liberia, with damage to homes, contaminated water sources, and rising waterborne disease risk as heavy rains continue. Forest & Biodiversity Protection: EPA has concluded consultations on a Reduced Impact Logging Initiative under the EU-funded Leh Go Green Project, aiming to protect biodiversity and build climate resilience around forest ecosystems. Illegal Mining Crackdown: Liberia’s new Protect Our Resources taskforce gets backing from the Liberia Chamber of Mines after an executive order to target illicit mining, seize equipment, and strengthen enforcement. Land Governance & Environment: Liberia Land Authority rolls out mandatory land use permits to improve development control and environmental protection, replacing informal squatter arrangements with a Temporary Occupancy Permit system. Public Market Sanitation: House of Representatives plans to summon the Liberia Marketing Association over poor sanitation in public markets, where traders pay daily fees but markets remain littered. Cleaner Transport Push: Liberian women are breaking barriers by driving electric kekehs in Monrovia, tackling air pollution while citing unreliable electricity and limited charging as key hurdles. Electricity Regulation Win: Liberia’s Embedded Generation Regulation earns a Rising Star Award, supporting safer grid connections for customers generating their own power.

Clean Transport & Air Quality: Women in Monrovia are breaking barriers by driving electric kekehs, cutting the smoke and carbon from thousands of gasoline tricycles—though unreliable power and limited charging still slow expansion. Forest Protection Under Pressure: Forestry enforcement in Grand Gedeh is meeting growing resistance, with FDA personnel detained during operations near Krahn-Grebo National Park—highlighting how illegal mining and local pushback are testing Liberia’s conservation rules. Electricity Regulation Milestone: Liberia’s Embedded Generation Regulation won a Rising Star Award, setting clearer rules for customers generating their own power (including solar) to connect safely to licensed distributors. Land Governance for Environment: The Liberia Land Authority rolled out a mandatory national land use permit system, aiming to improve development control and environmental protection through formal permits. Illicit Mining Crackdown: The Chamber of Mines backed a new government taskforce to combat illegal mining, calling it key to restoring order and protecting mineral resources. MSME Jobs Drive: The World Bank urged stronger support for Liberia’s micro, small and medium enterprises, linking digital transformation and financial inclusion to youth employment and growth. Road Safety: Liberia National Police intensified highway enforcement after deadly crashes, deploying officers to reduce fatalities and help motorists.

Land Governance Reform: Liberia’s Land Authority (LLA) has rolled out a mandatory land use permit system, replacing informal squatter arrangements with a Temporary Occupancy Permit and new permitting tools meant to improve development control and environmental protection. Illicit Mining Crackdown: The Liberia Chamber of Mines backs President Boakai’s new anti-illegal mining task force under Executive Order No. 167, calling it a step toward restoring order and protecting mineral resources. Coastal Climate Support: UNDP briefed President Boakai on climate action, including plans to mobilize climate financing for coastal protection in West Point and other vulnerable communities. Waste & Flood Sanitation: Ghana’s Achimota-Abofu Transfer Station reopened with Zoomlion support to tackle post-flood waste disposal problems—an example of how flooding can quickly turn into an environmental health crisis. Road Safety Push: Liberia National Police intensified highway traffic enforcement after deadly crashes, deploying officers to manage traffic flow and respond to emergencies. Drug Trafficking Pressure: Liberia’s drug enforcement agency reported over US$8.2m in cocaine and other illicit drugs seized since Oct 2025, highlighting ongoing public health and security risks.

Waste-to-Value Push: A new report flags Ghana’s waste crisis as a missed chance for recycling, composting, waste-to-energy and even sustainable aviation fuel—warning that burning and dumping are driving health risks and flooding costs. Illicit Mining Crackdown: Liberia’s new anti-illegal mining task force gets backing from the Liberia Chamber of Mines, after an executive order set up a multi-agency team to investigate, seize equipment and strengthen oversight. Drug Trafficking Pressure: Liberia’s LDEA says it seized illicit drugs worth over US$8.2m from Oct 2025 to Jun 2026, while a separate US$19.2m cocaine bust at Roberts International Airport spotlights gaps in air cargo security. Public Health Alarm: A new Ebola-focused discussion warns responses may be too late without PPE and trust-building, as disease spreads beyond borders. Coastal Climate Support: UNDP met President Boakai on climate action, including coastal protection plans for West Point and other vulnerable communities. Governance & Accountability: The House passed the LACE Act amendment to improve oversight of SOE CSR funds, aiming for more transparent community projects.

Community Development Push: VP Jeremiah Kpan Koung made a surprise visit to Zekepa Town in Yarwin-Mehnsonnoh District, pledging priority projects after residents complained of poor infrastructure and weak social services. Governance for CSR: The House of Representatives passed the LACE Act amendment to expand LACE’s structure and require State-Owned Enterprises to remit part of CSR funds into a centralized account for more transparent, accountable community development. Drug Crisis & Accountability: A major cocaine seizure of about US$19.2 million at Roberts International Airport has exposed gaps in air cargo security, prompting an investigation into how the shipment moved through earlier clearance stages. Water & Sanitation Urgency: NWASHC says about 34% of Liberians still practice open defecation, pushing reforms including a Presidential WASH Compact to improve WASH coordination and services. Biodiversity & Climate Policy: EPA and FDA launched a renewed national conservation agenda to validate Liberia’s updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and draft National Conservation Strategy. Coastal Resilience Support: UNDP briefed President Boakai on climate action plans, including coastal protection support for West Point and other vulnerable communities facing rising sea levels. Youth, Peace & Inclusion: PEACEGEN Liberia was launched to expand meaningful youth and women’s leadership in peace processes. Waste Management After Floods: Ghana’s Zoomlion and government reopened the Achimota-Abofu Transfer Station to tackle post-flood sanitation problems.

Water Access Gap: A new global map shows safe drinking water is still out of reach for more than 2 billion people, with access below 20% in several low-income countries—highlighting how far Liberia and other nations still have to go on clean, reliable water. Sanitation & Flood Waste: In a bid to stop post-flood refuse piling up, Ghana’s Achimota-Abofu Transfer Station was reopened with Zoomlion to restore waste collection and help tricycle operators dispose of household waste. Coastal Climate Support (Liberia): UNDP briefed President Boakai on climate action and environmental resilience, including coastal protection work in West Point and other vulnerable communities facing rising sea levels. Biodiversity Governance (Liberia): Liberia’s EPA and FDA launched a renewed national conservation agenda to validate updated biodiversity and conservation strategies aligned with global targets. WASH Urgency (Liberia): NWASHC says about 34% of Liberians still practice open defecation, pushing reforms and a WASH Compact to improve coordination and sanitation delivery. Pollution Alarm (Montserrado): Stakeholders raised concerns over soil, water, and waste pollution, including lead contamination risks, calling for stronger action and community awareness. Renewables Push (Regional): The World Bank approved US$60m for Sierra Leone’s off-grid renewable power push, part of a wider regional plan that also includes Liberia. Shipping Risk (Strait of Hormuz): After attacks and mine warnings in the Strait of Hormuz, authorities raised the threat level to “substantial,” with no environmental damage reported from a recent vessel strike.

Maritime Security & Environment: An Indian-flagged bulk carrier, APJ Priti 2, safely transited the Strait of Hormuz via the Iran route carrying 65,000 MT of fertiliser after recent attacks in the area raised the regional threat level to “substantial,” with officials noting bridge damage to another vessel but no environmental damage so far. Waste & Flood Recovery: Ghana’s government and Zoomlion reopened the Achimota-Abofu Transfer Station to restart waste collection after floods inundated landfill sites, blocking disposal for nearly 3,000 waste operators. Coastal Climate Resilience: UNDP’s Liberia office briefed President Boakai on climate action, including coastal protection support for West Point and other vulnerable communities facing rising sea levels. Biodiversity Governance: Liberia’s EPA and Forestry Development Authority launched a renewed national conservation agenda, starting validation of the updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and a draft National Conservation Strategy aligned with global biodiversity goals. Sanitation Gap: Liberia’s NWASHC says about 34% of the population still practices open defecation, pushing for stronger coordination and a Presidential WASH Compact to eliminate it by 2030. Pollution Alarm in Montserrado: Stakeholders flagged rising soil, water, and waste pollution risks, including lead contamination concerns, and plan baseline assessments and community awareness work. Renewables & Power Access: The World Bank approved US$60m for Sierra Leone’s distributed renewable energy push under a regional program that also includes Liberia, aiming to expand electricity access through solar home systems and mini-grids. Land Rights & Administration: Liberia’s Land Authority marked completion of the Swedish-funded Sustainable Land Services in Liberia project, highlighting improved land administration and progress on women’s land rights.

Coastal Climate Support: UNDP Resident Representative Aliou Mamadou Dia briefed President Boakai on climate action, including plans to mobilize climate financing for coastal protection in West Point (Montserrado), Sinoe, and other sea-level vulnerable communities. Biodiversity Policy Push: Liberia’s EPA and Forestry Development Authority launched a renewed national conservation agenda, starting the validation of an updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and a draft National Conservation Strategy aligned with the Kunming-Montreal framework. Pollution Alarm in Montserrado: Stakeholders raised urgent concerns over soil, water, and waste pollution, including lead contamination risks, and outlined a project for baseline sampling, mapping, awareness, and advocacy. Sanitation Gap: NWASHC says about 34% of Liberians still practice open defecation, with a roadmap targeting an open-defecation-free Liberia by 2030 and a push to fix weak coordination. Clean Energy Finance (Regional): The World Bank approved US$60m for Sierra Leone to expand rural electricity access via solar home systems and mini-grids—part of a wider regional renewable-energy push that includes Liberia. Governance for Environment: Liberia’s government launched internal audit regulations and a compliance checklist to strengthen financial controls—key for delivering public projects, including environmental programs. Land Rights & Services: The Liberia Land Authority marked completion of the Swedish-funded Sustainable Land Services in Liberia project, highlighting improved land administration and progress on women’s land rights.

Conservation Push: Liberia’s EPA and Forestry Development Authority launched a renewed national conservation agenda, starting with validation of the updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and a draft National Conservation Strategy to guide biodiversity protection and climate resilience through 2030. WASH Crisis: NWASHC says about 34% of Liberians still practice open defecation, urging faster coordination and a proposed Presidential WASH Compact to eliminate open defecation by 2030. Pollution Alarm (Montserrado): Stakeholders flagged rising soil, water, and waste pollution and lead contamination risks, calling for baseline assessments, awareness, and stronger policy action. Clean Power for Rural Areas: The World Bank approved US$60m for Sierra Leone’s distributed renewable energy push, part of a regional package that also includes Liberia—aiming to expand electricity access via solar home systems and mini-grids. Governance & Integrity: Liberia’s Internal Audit Regulations and a Public Sector Internal Audit Compliance Checklist were launched to strengthen transparency and financial stewardship. Youth & Peace: PEACEGEN Liberia launched to expand youth and women’s meaningful participation in peace processes.

WASH Reform: Nearly one in three Liberians still practice open defecation, with NWASHC saying about 34% of people do so—prompting calls to speed up the Presidential WASH Compact and a roadmap to end open defecation by 2030. Biodiversity & Climate Policy: Liberia’s EPA and FDA have launched a renewed national conservation agenda to validate an updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and a draft National Conservation Strategy, aligning biodiversity protection and ecosystem restoration with global commitments through 2030. Pollution Alarm in Montserrado: Stakeholders raised urgent concerns about soil, water, and waste pollution, including lead contamination risks, pushing for stronger policies, baseline sampling, and community awareness. Land Governance Gains: The Liberia Land Authority marked the end of Sweden-funded Sustainable Land Services in Liberia, citing improved land administration and progress on women’s land rights. Energy for Cleaner Growth: Liberia’s wider region push for distributed renewable power got a boost as the World Bank approved US$60m for Sierra Leone—highlighting solar home systems and mini-grids as a fast route to reliable electricity for rural communities.

Biodiversity & Climate Policy: Liberia’s EPA and FDA have launched a renewed national conservation agenda, starting a two-day validation of the updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and a draft National Conservation Strategy through 2030, with support from AFD, Fauna & Flora International and GRET. Land Governance: The Liberia Land Authority marked the end of Sweden-funded Sustainable Land Services in Liberia (SLSL), citing stronger land administration, decentralized services and progress on women’s land rights. Mining & Local Development: High-level talks on the Dugbe Gold Project point to about US$600 million in expected investment over three years, with local procurement, jobs and community development highlighted. Ocean Conservation: Kenya’s Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa secured 300+ voluntary commitments and mobilized $6.4 billion for marine protection, fisheries monitoring and climate finance. Pollution Alarm in Montserrado: Stakeholders raised urgent concerns over soil, water and waste pollution, including lead contamination and weak waste management, calling for stronger action. Ecosystem & Wildlife: A new baby pygmy hippo at Zoo Berlin is drawing attention to the endangered species, with habitat loss linked to agriculture, mining and logging in West Africa including Liberia. Energy Diplomacy: Liberia’s foreign minister met U.S. officials to push an energy compact to fix electricity generation, transmission and distribution—key for investment and jobs.