Monrovia, Liberia – ArcelorMittal Liberia’s success may be attributed in large part to the country’s strong commitment to focusing its activities and leadership on Liberians. ArcelorMittal Liberia has been a prime example of private sector development through local skills, employing over 3,000 Liberians directly.
Liberians are not only providing jobs; they are actively shaping the future of the country’s largest foreign investment, from mining operations to corporate leadership. Today, Augustine Quaye, a local engineer, oversees advanced operations at the company’s state-of-the-art concentrator plant located in the heart of Grand Bassa County. Elizabeth Kollie is in charge of the finance department’s integrity and effective management of AML’s financial activities.
This deliberate approach reflects a long-term vision of shared prosperity: Liberia grows when Liberians grow. While many firms heavily rely on expatriate knowledge, AML is said to building a workforce that draws strength from within, providing the country with the leadership, skills, and confidence it needs to compete worldwide.
“The company has demonstrated to me that learning and hard work can lead to success. “I never imagined that I could be leading a team of forty people,” Emmanuel Nyan, a shift supervisor who began his career ten years ago as a machine assistant stated.
With Liberia commemorating 178 years of independence, the workforce at AML represents a deeper and more significant change, as Liberians are proudly and skillfully driving the economy forward rather than merely partaking in it. By running one of West Africa’s most sophisticated iron ore concentrators, these experts are elevating Liberia to a global position. Global steelmaking is powered by the refined ore they produce, demonstrating the vital role that Liberians today play in fostering greatness outside of their boundaries.
As of May 31, 2025, AML’s personnel data show that the firm has 2,848 full-time workers. 2,555 persons, or 90% of the direct work force, are Liberians. The remaining 293 positions are filled by foreigners, who make up just 10% of the full-time workforce.
These foreign experts filled the highly skilled technical jobs that are now in low supply in Liberia’s labor market. Their expertise is essential to the successful completion of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s massive Phase Two expansion project, which includes the construction of a sophisticated ore concentrator, a new power plant, significant upgrades to the Buchanan Port, the extension of the Yekepa–Buchanan railway, and the establishment of a tailing management facility according to AML.
Deep knowledge in fields like large-scale construction engineering, specialized mineral processing, and heavy infrastructure deployment is required for these projects; mastering these skills requires years of education and exposure to many cultures.
Despite the presence of these foreign experts, AML is said to have made a conscious effort to ensure that they work closely with their Liberian counterparts. The foundation for a future generation of highly skilled Liberian technical professionals has been laid by the consistent transfer of knowledge and skills across disciplines.
Engineers, electricians, welders, and plant operators in Liberia are getting practical experience with contemporary technology and procedures that are uncommon in other parts of the nation owing to this collaborative implementation strategy. “This relationship has a clear long-term benefit: it is guaranteeing that Liberia maintains the expertise to support and manage industrial expansion well into the future and prepares Liberians to eventually take full management of these intricate systems,” the company said.
Along with permanent personnel, AML’s operations also heavily rely on contract and fixed-term workers, particularly during Phase Two of its growth. 6,147 individuals were employed by the company in these categories as of April 30, 2025. 1,442 foreigners, mostly technical and construction professionals, make up 23% of this number, while 4,705 Liberians make up 77%.
With 7,260 Liberians making up 81% of the overall workforce, AML employs 8,995 people in total. Out of 1,735 positions, 19 percent are held by expatriates. This composition not only clearly shows AML’s significant investment in local jobs, but also its critical role in providing numerous Liberian families and communities with economic opportunity and steady income.
The figures show that AML is meeting and surpassing its commitments under the Mineral Development Agreement, especially in terms of prioritizing the employment and development of Liberians. The company claims that any labor-related audit can examine its financial records and that it welcomes independent verification of its employment data.
What can be accomplished when the local workforce is given the flexibility, support, and confidence to take the lead is demonstrated by ArcelorMittal Liberia’s hiring processes and its growing pool of Liberian experts. In the global supply chain of refined ore, Liberian engineers, operators, technicians, and administrators are now clearly visible, promoting both national pride and international excellence.
