Monrovia, Liberia – Liberia has concluded a three-day workshop aimed at strengthening national readiness for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with 63 participants receiving certification for their engagement and contributions. The workshop, according to participants from the public and business sectors as well as civil society organizations, was a significant step in expanding knowledge of Liberia’s obligations under the AfCFTA Trade in Services framework.
The workshop had a significant impact, according to Jesse Z. Mathies, Director of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s (MOCI) Division of Foreign Trade. “A lot of new information was shared here between the participants and the consultant, and all of it will help us to make corrections and amendments to the audit report. Additionally, it was good for knowledge sharing, and as a ministry, it has helped us connect with new stakeholders so we can update our database,” he said.
From the private sector, Liberia Chamber of Commerce Secretary General Catherine H. Kamo highlighted the practical value of the training. “The workshop has enlightened participants on AfCFTA commitments and how to navigate the services sector. For the Chamber, which represents over 200 members and 54 indirect memberships, the knowledge gained will be shared widely,” she noted.
Kamo further explained that while the Chamber already collaborates with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the sessions revealed additional areas requiring stronger coordination to advance Liberia’s trade objectives. The ECOWAS Commission organised the workshop under the ECOWAS/AfDB/UNDP Institutional Support Project (ISP), which took place in Monrovia from May 11–13. The initiative’s main goals were to improve the country’s ability to modify policies and analyse the results of recently created regulatory audits.
ECOWAS Project Management Analyst Chanchel Zorblewu gave a speech at the closing ceremony and commended the attendees for their active participation during the sessions. “Participants demonstrated a high level of technical interest and commitment. The involvement of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, other sector institutions, and the private sector significantly enriched the discussions,” she stated.
Zorblewu said the workshop strengthened understanding of the AfCFTA Trade in Services framework, promoted inter-agency dialogue, enhanced collaboration on policy reforms, and supported alignment of Liberia’s regulatory systems with continental commitments. Similarly, UNDP representative Trokon Bryant commended participants for their dedication during the training.
“Your commitment over these three days reflects strong potential for Liberia’s economic transformation and future growth,” Bryant said. He also thanked the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for ensuring inclusive participation and effective coordination.
Leading the technical sessions, expert consultant Beatrice Chaytor guided participants through key areas including trade in services rules and frameworks, the Services Trade Restrictiveness Index (STRI), and sector-specific regulatory assessments. The workshop moved from conceptual discussions to practical breakout sessions examining Liberia’s commitments across several sectors, including Business Services, Financial Services, Communication Services, Transport Services, and Tourism Services.
Participants also examined industries like construction, distribution, and health services that were designated for further discussions. Chaytor emphasized the strategic importance of the exercises. “They are designed to help participants think about how Liberia can become competitive relative to other countries based on its commitments,” she explained.
She added that participants are now better prepared to respond to market access requests from other countries in a timely and informed manner while recognizing that trade in services negotiations require a multidisciplinary and collective approach.
Participants recognized a number of market and regulatory issues during interactive conversations, such as hurdles to market entry, restrictions on foreign ownership, and restrictions on fair competition. Among the sector-specific suggestions include, Financial Services: To boost investor confidence, participants emphasized the need for changes to cross-border insurance regimes and board residency regulations.
Transport Services: Discussions focused on reducing trade costs while balancing nationality requirements with regional competitiveness. The collaborative sessions enabled stakeholders to review regulatory audit findings, identify policy gaps, and develop evidence-based recommendations for reforms.
Given that services make up over 51% of Africa’s GDP, the workshop emphasized the sector’s significance in promoting structural change, economic growth, and investor attraction. It is now expected of the certified participants to convert workshop ideas into practical policy measures, such as bringing Liberia’s national rules into compliance with AfCFTA commitments, bolstering institutional coordination, and promoting changes to increase trade competitiveness in services.
Liberia hopes to boost involvement in regional and continental trade, diversify its economy, and take full advantage of the AfCFTA framework by putting these ideas into practice. With 63 participants certified, the workshop exceeded initial expectations of 50 delegates, demonstrating increased national enthusiasm and dedication to furthering Liberia’s trade agenda.
Reported by: Naneka Hoffman
