Following Washington Mission with IMF and U.S. Agencies
Monrovia, Liberia – In preparation for Liberia’s 2026 Direct Negotiation Licensing Round, the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) has completed a mission to Washington, D.C. to secure paths for technical support to strengthen Liberia’s petroleum governance structure and the oversight of agreements with Oranto Petroleum Liberia, Ltd. and TotalEnergies EP Liberia (TEEPLIB).
Concrete follow-up measures to support fiscal modelling, regulatory strengthening, outreach to American investors, and the development of petroleum infrastructure in Liberia were the outcome of the mission. Diego Mesa Puyo of the Fiscal Affairs Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) discussed improving Liberia’s petroleum financial system. The LPRA confirmed that technical support for hydrocarbon fiscal modelling may be provided and revenue management systems.
It is reported that follow-up conversations are underway to ascertain the scope and techniques of this help. Interactions with the U.S. Department of Commerce, specifically the Commercial Law Development Program and the International Trade Administration, revealed opportunities to enhance Liberia’s legal and regulatory framework for exploration and production and to support investor outreach for the 2026 Licensing Round.
Discussions at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) made clear the financing options available to the organization for project engagement. The National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) and DFC will establish connections through the LPRA in order to promote potential investments in infrastructure related to petroleum, in line with NOCAL’s commercial objective.
The mission expanded discussions on technical collaboration in upstream regulatory capabilities at the U.S. Department of Energy, including offshore health, safety, and environmental standards, licensing systems, and petroleum data governance. Multilateral Investment Discussions In order to encourage investment in Liberia’s petroleum industry, the Guarantee Agency (MIGA) investigated the use of credit enhancement tools and political risk insurance, with a focus on lowering investor risk and enhancing project bankability.
“These engagements have established clear pathways for technical cooperation and support. We
will now translate these discussions into concrete actions that strengthen Liberia’s petroleum
governance and investment readiness,” said Marilyn T. Logan, Director General of the LPRA.
The LPRA committee was led by Director General Marilyn T. Logan and included Hon. Sahr Johnny, the President’s Senior Economic Advisor; Hon. Jacob Kabakole, the Chairman of the LPRA Board; and Cllr. Kou Dorliae, an LPRA board member and Mr. Charles Allen, Minister Counsellor of the Liberian Embassy.
