Seeks Liberian Control Of Reserved Retail and Distribution Sectors
Monrovia, Liberia – In an effort to support Liberia’s Liberianization strategy, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung has put pressure on private sector companies and manufacturers to give Liberian-owned companies access to distribution and retail opportunities that are legally reserved. In order to enforce the provisions of Liberia’s 2010 Investment Act, which reserves distribution, retail trade, and several other business categories exclusively for Liberians, the Vice President convened a high-level meeting in Monrovia on Friday, May 1, 2026, with important manufacturers and stakeholders.
The action coincides with mounting worries about the growing number of foreigners working in areas that are officially protected for Liberian natives, which raises concerns about lax enforcement of the law. Liberia’s vice president recently emphasized on ELBC Road that the government has the political will to guarantee that Liberians fully benefit from economic prospects intended for them, characterizing policy enforcement as a national priority.
Due to its present mixed distribution structure with both foreign and Liberian distributors, G5, the former Coca-Cola bottling factory, was a major source of worry. The strict entry standards, which include a bank guarantee of about US$150,000, strong market networks, and the capacity to conduct cash-based transactions, have made it difficult for many Liberians to join, officials noted.
According to him, the government is now considering a plan to gradually phase out foreign distributor arrangements and replace them with five to ten qualified Liberian-owned businesses as authorized distributors. However, he disclosed that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is expected to issue formal guidance inviting eligible Liberian businesses to participate.
Similar reforms are also being proposed for NICOM Distilleries and RITCO, both of which currently operate direct-to-customer sales systems without structured distributor networks.
Reported by: Prince Saah
