Liberia has been admitted into the EU-funded €12 million SCOPE Africa program, joining nine other countries in efforts to strengthen port security and governance. The initiative, praised by PMAWCA, is expected to accelerate reforms at the Freeport of Monrovia and position Liberia as a competitive maritime hub under AfCFTA.
Liberia has been admitted into SCOPE Africa, a €12 million European Union–funded initiative designed to strengthen safety, security, and operational efficiency across major ports in West and Central Africa. The program, launched in Lomé and jointly implemented by Expertise France and Enabel, brings together ten ports from nine countries to build resilient and well-governed maritime corridors.
Liberia’s inclusion follows its active engagement in the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), a regional platform that has increasingly recognized the country’s reform efforts.
Speaking on the development, James R. Benard, Deputy Managing Director for Administration at the National Port Authority (NPA), described the selection as “a strategic breakthrough that validates the sweeping reforms underway across the Freeport of Monrovia and our outstation ports.” He emphasized that participation in SCOPE Africa will provide Liberia with technical assistance, security upgrades, and governance improvements necessary to meet international standards and the demands of modern global trade.
SCOPE Africa was conceived in response to mounting maritime challenges across the continent, including organized criminal networks, terrorism, industrial risks, and climate pressures. The program delivers targeted improvements in: Compliance with global port safety and security standards; crisis response and risk management systems, professional training and workforce development, with emphasis on women and youth.
For Liberia, the initiative promises expanded access to specialized training, upgraded governance frameworks, and comprehensive assessments aimed at enhancing national port security.
Liberia’s participation also strengthens its readiness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), positioning the country to improve competitiveness, logistical capacity, and resilience against emerging threats. The program complements existing continental maritime security efforts such as SEACOP, GoGIN, SAFE SEAS, and EnMAR, creating a layered approach to safeguarding Africa’s maritime corridors.
Liberia’s selection underscores growing international confidence in the NPA’s reform agenda. PMAWCA has commended Liberia’s commitment to improving port governance, safety, and professionalism, noting that the country’s progress reflects broader regional ambitions for secure and efficient trade routes.
Over the next three years, Liberia will participate in technical missions, security audits, training programs, and peer-to-peer collaboration with leading ports across West and Central Africa. These activities are expected to accelerate Liberia’s transformation into a resilient and competitive maritime hub, while reinforcing its role in regional trade integration.
The NPA’s inclusion in SCOPE Africa marks a significant milestone in Liberia’s maritime journey—one that blends reform, international cooperation, and strategic investment to secure the nation’s ports for the future.
