By Festus Poquie
Former Liberian Minister of Mines and Energy Wilmot Paye delivered a sharp critique of President Joseph Boakai’s economic development strategy, calling the administration’s reliance on foreign assistance a “beggar approach” that cannot deliver prosperity.
Paye made the remarks in his exit speech after being replaced as minister. “Liberia’s transformation is possible. Liberia’s destiny is not perpetual poverty,” he said.
“A country so endowed by God with superabundant resources cannot be a poor country begging all over the world for nothing.
“Nobody outside of Liberia can build this country. The world does not owe Liberia a living.”
He described his role in government as a “borrowed coat.”
The criticism comes as the Boakai administration has stepped up outreach to Washington. Documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice show the government hired U.S.-based lobbyists under a contract worth slightly more than $1 million to press for rice-sector reforms, technical cooperation and renewed foreign assistance.
On Oct. 28, President Boakai appointed Matenokay Tingban, a former lawmaker and deputy minister, to replace Paye as minister of mines and energy, according to a statement posted on the presidency’s Facebook page.
The ministry’s leadership change takes place amid a push to expand foreign investment and infrastructure links.
In July, the government signed a $1.8 billion railway access agreement with U.S.-linked Ivanhoe Atlantic Inc. to transport iron ore from mines in neighboring Guinea for export.
Lawmakers are currently reviewing that deal. U.S. authorities have also expressed interest in Liberia’s newly identified critical minerals.
Earlier this year Liberia announced discoveries of deposits that include lithium, manganese, cobalt and neodymium, resources it hopes will attract roughly $3 billion in investment.
The International Monetary Fund this month projected Liberia’s economy will grow 4.6% this year and accelerate to 5.4% in 2026, supported by expansion in mining—particularly gold and iron ore—and a recovery in agricultural production.
