Monrovia, Liberia – In partnership with the African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR), the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC) launched a four-day course on the Mini-Grid Tariff Tool and Methodology on Monday, October 6, 2025.
Policymakers and important stakeholders from the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), and mini-grid operators, such as Totota Electric Cooperative and Energicity (Starlight Inc.), are among those attending the training, which is being held at a local hotel.
On behalf of the Board of Commissioners and management, Commissioner Amara M. Kamara of LERC welcomed participants in her opening remarks, characterizing the training as a significant step in improving Liberia’s regulatory ability to oversee off-grid electrification.
Commissioner Kamara stated, “Your presence today demonstrates our shared commitment to promoting Liberia’s off-grid electricity future. This training promotes our shared goal of ensuring cost-reflective, transparent, and data-driven tariffs that provide developers with the assurance and clarity they require to make investments.”
As part of its dedication to regional cooperation and regulatory excellence, he stated that LERC joined AFUR two years ago. Since then, the Commission has taken part in a number of AFUR capacity-building initiatives, such as the Mini-Grid Project Adopter Training that was held earlier this year in Accra, Ghana.
Commissioner Kamara stressed that both rapid mini-grid development in remote communities and grid expansion in urban areas are necessary to meet Liberia’s 2030 electricity access target of 75%, up from the current 32%.
“By guaranteeing fairness and predictability in tariff setting, the AFUR mini-grid tariff tool will support our collective effort to accelerate energy access. Let’s make the most of this chance to grow, learn from one another, and form enduring relationships that will benefit our industry,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr. Samuel S. Bunnya, an AFUR representative, emphasized the importance of private sector involvement and highlighted how the Mini-Grid Project came about as a result of the realization that governments cannot accomplish widespread electrification on their own.
According to Bunnya, “mini-grids are crucial to closing Africa’s electricity gap. Nevertheless, disparities in tariff policies among nations have impeded the growth of the private sector. The mini-grid tariff tool from AFUR offers a standardized, adaptable framework that strikes a balance between consumer protection and investor confidence.”
In order to standardize and streamline tariff setting throughout Africa, he maintained that, the tool was created in cooperation with partners including the Africa Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and others.
Amon Ngure Mwadime, the president of the Africa Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA), emphasized the organization’s initiatives to improve the regulatory, financial, and policy landscapes for mini-grid operators.
Mr. Mwadime stated, “AMDA has worked to accelerate the pathway to scale and profitability for mini-grid companies since our founding in 2018. We continue to prioritize policy coordination, capital access, and data-driven research to support investment readiness throughout the continent, with over 61 members in 24 countries.”
Speaking on behalf of the Commission’s Management, Mr. Nunudeh S. Johnson, acting Director for Economic Regulation at LERC urged attendees to get involved completely in the practical training sessions, pointing out that the information acquired will improve Liberia’s mini-grid regulatory framework.
“Unlocking the full potential of this training requires your active participation and engagement. By working together, we can create a more robust and unified regulatory framework that spurs mini-grid investment and pushes us toward our 2030 goal,” she said.
Reported by: Prince Saah
