Reported by: Jenneh Borbor
Monrovia, Liberia – In an effort to help tackle Non-Performing Loans issue, the Governor of Central Bank of Liberia has urge the media to help the public in disseminating the importance of repaying banks loan ahead of its conference comes September. Making remarks on Tuesday, August 12, 2026 during a media orientation at the CBL headquarters ahead of the upcoming National Non-Performing Loans Conference, the Executive Governor of Central Banks Henry F. Saamoi disclosed that the country’s high level of non-performing loans is critical to expanding access to credit, supporting businesses, and driving economic growth.
He said, the country’s high level of non-performing loans is critical to expanding access to credit, supporting businesses, and driving economic growth. Governor Saamoi informed journalists that the conference is not “merely another financial sector event” but a strategic national dialogue aimed at removing one of the biggest constraints to private sector development and improve financial stability. He explained that when a significant portion of loans are not repaid, financial institutions become more cautious in extending new credit and businesses face financial constraints, investors lose confidence, and economic expansion slows down.
”Do not stay away from the banks if you have issues with repayment,” Saamoi started.
He added that the impact of NPLs extends beyond banks, affecting entrepreneurs, farmers, young people, women-owned businesses, and communities seeking jobs. “Addressing the NPL challenge is not only a banking-sector priority; it is a national development issue,” Governor Saamoi said. He added that the CBL’s objective is to build a stronger credit culture that promotes greater access to financing while safeguarding financial stability. According to the Governor, the conference will bring together policymakers, financial institutions, the judiciary, legal professionals, development partners, business leaders, and legislators to discuss practical solutions to challenges in loan recovery, collateral enforcement, credit discipline, and responsible lending.
A key area of focus doing the conference will be the modernization of credit infrastructure, including the Enhanced Collateral Registry System. “Effective collateral management is essential for expanding financial inclusion and increasing access to credit, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises,” Saamoi stated.
“By strengthening the legal and operational framework for secured transactions, we can improve lenders’ confidence and broaden financing opportunities.”
Governor Saamoi urged the media to help translate the technical discussions of the conference into public understanding. “The media has a critical role to play in this national effort,” he said. “We ask for your partnership in ensuring that the public receives accurate, balanced, and insightful reporting on the issues surrounding non-performing loans, access to credit, collateral systems, debt obligations, and financial sector reforms.”
He said well-informed public discourse can strengthen financial literacy and promote a culture of responsible borrowing and repayment. “The success of the National Non-Performing Loans Conference will depend not only on the quality of the discussions among stakeholders but also on the ability to communicate its outcomes effectively to the public,” he noted.
The CBL Governor lamented that sustainable economic growth requires a financial system that is both stable and inclusive where responsible borrowers can access financing, institutions are protected by strong risk management, and disputes are resolved through predictable legal mechanisms. “Together, let us work toward a more resilient financial sector, a stronger credit culture, expanded access to finance, and a more prosperous Liberia,” Saamoi concluded.
