Overview
The Government of Liberia established road development and improvement as its top priorities under President Weah’s flagship Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD). Some foreign (particularly Chinese) and local construction companies are actively engaged in Liberia’s road projects. Other construction opportunities exist in mining and agricultural concession areas as well as in commercially active regions along Liberia’s key growth corridors. These include Monrovia-Ganta, which serves nearly 40 percent of the population, and Buchanan-Yekepa, which is connected by major rail infrastructure and is primarily used for the shipment of iron ore and minerals by a mining concession.
The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) is primarily responsible for all public infrastructure works including road and bridge construction, drainage systems and culverts, routine maintenance of asphalt paved roads, routine maintenance of gravel and earth roads, and maintenance and rehabilitation of bridges and culverts. The ministry issues permits for private companies and individuals engaged in housing or road construction. While some road projects are exclusively financed through the World Bank/International Development Association (IDA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB), others are jointly funded by the Liberian government and international donors. The Liberian Water and Sewage Corporation (LWSC) is responsible for water supply and sanitation infrastructure throughout the country. Companies interested in construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of public infrastructure must register with the MPW through its Contractors Classification and Certification System (CCCS). All companies interested in bidding on public works must register with the CCCS to be pre-qualified. Public procurement opportunities should be posted on the website of the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC).
The National Housing Authority is the government agency responsible for overseeing the housing sector and providing affordable housing for poor Liberians. The authority, however, lacks technical and financial expertise, as well as government support, to attract foreign investment to the real estate sector. According to the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa (CAHF), major barriers to decent low-cost housing in Liberia include affordability, land tenure, and access to basic services. The high poverty rate makes it difficult for Liberians to find affordable housing. There is no readily available data on average mortgage size, but CAHF reported that the minimum monthly income required to access mortgages for publicly constructed houses was $386, which the average Liberian civil servant cannot afford. The government has provided a few low-cost housing units under its Pro-Poor Housing Project in remote, hard-to-reach, and impoverished communities and regions of the country.
Leading Sub-Sectors
Construction materials and equipment; road and highway construction; safety equipment; and financing for construction projects, such as housing construction and mortgages.
Opportunities
There are opportunities for U.S. companies in real estate, road and highway construction, infrastructure consultancy, urban energy and power supply, power and electrical materials and services, drainage systems upgrades, and urban water and sanitation services. There is potential for investment in construction, provision, and maintenance of community-based recreational facilities equipped with playgrounds, swimming pools, and restaurants.
Resources
· Ministry of Public Works (MPW)
· Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC)
· Liberia Chamber of Commerce (LCC)