President Joseph Boakai’s Executive Order 153 has set in motion plans to create an independent Liberian National Railway Authority (NRA), a move advocates say could transform the country’s transport backbone into a multi user engine for economic growth, regional integration and private sector investment.
The authority, as outlined in the executive order, would regulate train operations, set and monitor access rules, and promote the efficient and sustainable use of Liberia’s sovereign rail assets.
Under the proposal, the government would retain ownership of the infrastructure while a qualified international team helps design the institutional framework, a multi user access model, financing structures and climate resilience safeguards.
Why an open national rail system matters
Broader, fair access: A transparent, regulated access regime would allow mining firms, agriculture, forestry and other sectors to use the same rail corridors on equitable terms, reducing bottlenecks and lowering transport costs for multiple industries.
Investment and competition: Clear rules and independent oversight are expected to attract private investment and technical partners by reducing operational and commercial uncertainty.
Value capture and export growth: The nation’s major rail corridors, including the Yekepa–Buchanan line, sit amid substantial mineral endowments. Former Minister of Mines and Energy Wilmot Paye has estimated the Yekepa–Buchanan corridor’s iron ore resources at some 17 billion tonnes, valuing them at about USD 2.38 trillion — figures that, if developed responsibly, could underpin substantial export revenues.
Multi modal and regional connectivity: The NRA’s remit would extend beyond a single line to encompass the Bong Mine Railway and the Mano River Railway, and could facilitate not only freight but passenger services that strengthen internal mobility and cross border trade.
Governance, safety and sustainability: An independent regulator staffed by industry experts would be expected to raise standards for safety, environmental protection and climate resilience—key considerations for long term infrastructure viability.
The establishment of the NRA forms a central pillar of the Boakai administration’s ARREST Agenda, which positions rail infrastructure as foundational to Liberia’s longer term economic transformation and global competitiveness. Proponents say this institutional change would be the first time the country’s rail network is overseen by genuine industry specialists rather than ad hoc arrangements.
Legislative ratification is required to formalize the authority. A related development is the Concession and Access Agreement submitted by Ivanhoe Liberia, currently under consideration by the legislature. That agreement would introduce an additional user to the Yekepa–Buchanan rail and port corridor and brings the country closer to a functioning multi user rail system.
Lawmakers must approve enabling legislation, financing and implementation frameworks must be finalized, and stakeholders across sectors will need to be coordinated.
If those hurdles are cleared, an open national rail system could lower the cost of moving goods, expand market access for Liberian producers, and attract the long term investments needed to translate natural resource potential into broad based economic benefits.
