The Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoCI), in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for (UNECA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will this week commence a three-day workshop on the rollout of Liberia’s National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy. The workshop, to be held in Mamba Point from August 26-28, 2025, will be attended by other stakeholders from the public and private sectors of Liberia.

The workshop is intended to build the capacity of local stakeholders to effectively implement Liberia’s commitments under AfCFTA, enhance awareness and boost the country’s export of goods and services by targeting new markets and expanding its market share. It is also aimed at strengthening the productive capacities of local MSMEs, leverage AfCFTA-related opportunities by cultivating their export readiness.

Besides, the workshop seeks to promote Liberia’s participation in regional and global value chains, foster an inclusive economic growth that integrates women, youth and vulnerable groups. In its quest to realize this worthy initiative, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry is focused on fostering collaboration with the private sector, and civil society to ensure inclusive and participatory approach, deepening the understanding of key stakeholders on AfCFTA provisions, trade facilitation measures, and export opportunities.

The idea also includes exploring financing opportunities and investment avenues for trade infrastructure, capacity building, and private sector development in line with the AfCFTA framework, identify regional value chain opportunities within the West African region and strategize on how Liberia can integrate into these chains. The expected outcome of the rollout strategy includes conducting a nationwide awareness and sensitization advocacy, focusing on relevant Ministries, Agencies & Commissions (MACs), private sector, civil society, women and youth traders, developing relevant contents in local languages where possible to promote the Liberia AfCFTA agenda, ensuring that rural communities, cooperatives, and Agribusinesses participate and benefit from AfCFTA information session, etc.

The Ministry of Commerce & Industry, on 14th August 2025, officially launched Liberia’s AfCFTA Implementation Strategy. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)-a flagship of the African Union plays a pivotal role in positioning Liberia to leverage the benefits of the continental trade agreement and is also in alignment with the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, (AAID).