Congo Town, Monrovia – Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, president of the African Development Bank (AFDB), called on Liberians to stop exporting their raw materials through their leaders. Speaking on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, at the opening of the Liberia Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank (YEIB), Dr. Adesina clarified that the export of raw commodities is the gateway to poverty.
According to him, instead of Liberia exporting its raw commodities, the government should build the enabling climate and invest in essential infrastructure that will allow for the creation of companies that would process and add value to all its generates, from agriculture to minerals and metals.
“Liberia need to stop exporting its raw resources. Rather, it should invest in vital infrastructure and provide the enabling conditions that will enable the growth of enterprises that will process and add value to all of its products, from minerals and metals to agriculture,” he added.
Liberia is sick of poverty, according to the president of the African Development Bank, who pointed out that the export of value-added goods is the path to prosperity. “Liberia cannot be really free until poverty is eradicated.”
According to Dr. Adesina, Liberia must embrace its diversity as a strength rather than a weakness because all Liberians share the same genes, regardless of where or how they were born. “They are resilient, strong, and hopeful genes. Genes that enable you to endure hardship, the devastation of wars and conflicts, and still stand tall. Genes that make you excel against all odds,” he said.
Dr. Adesina praised the Liberian government for introducing its Service Delivery Charter, stating that the citizens’ evaluation of the quality of service delivery is more important than the charter itself.
According to him, the protection of property rights, human rights, and contract enforcement all of which are essential for drawing in foreign investment are just a few examples of how the rule of law and sound governance are vital for the progress of a country.
An autonomous and well-supported judiciary is the foundation of national growth, according to the head of the African Bank. He declared, “Let me say that, how Liberia manages its vast natural resources will determine its rescue mission and new future under the ARREST agenda.”
Dr. Adesina narrated that with the vast natural resources, Liberia has no business with being poor. Liberia only has to focus more on how it handles its abundant natural resources, he said. According him, Liberia’s vast lands, woods, minerals, and biodiversity should belong to its people. Dr. Adesina advised that negotiating for own interests is better rather than that of others.
