Africa-Press – Liberia. As a means of enhancing effective transport and trade facilitation between Sierra Leone and Liberia and by large across the West African sub region, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) together with the two nations, has moved to lay that matter to bed.
By doing so, ECOWAS alongside Sierra Leone and Liberia on Saturday, November 22, 2025 broke grounds for the construction of the Joint Border Post (JBP) on the Jendema–Bo Waterside Joint Border Post.
The groundbreaking follows the official handover of the two sites on both sides of the Jendema-Bo Waterside Border to the ECOWAS Commission both the Governments of Sierra Leone and Liberia in May of this year.
Idea of the project started more than four years ago with careful planning, consultations, feasibility assessments and community engagements that laid the foundation for today’s event. It then moved through several important stages before the lands were awarded to ECOWAS.
Speaking at the special occasion held at the Bo Waterside end of the border post, Mrs. Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, said the Joint Border Post concept represents a modern and effective instrument for transport and trade facilitation.
She stated that the initiative is part of the response by the ECOWAS’ Regional Programme for Transport and Transit Facilitation that seeks to eliminate the persistent obstacles to the smooth movement of people and goods across borders within our community.
The ECOWAS diplomat observed that borders across the sub region continue to experience obstacles of poor and inadequate border infrastructure, the multiplicity of control agencies, duplication of administrative procedures; and excessive delays and costs borne by users, traders and cross-border transporters.
To address these obstacles border crossings for people and goods, she pointed out that the concept of the Joint Border Post is formulated around four key components, namely; to modernize infrastructure suited to the demands of cross-border traffic, interconnection of ICT systems, a harmonized legal framework between neighboring States as well as a simplified and coordinated procedures and management systems.
According to her, these components are fully aligned with the continental model adopted for expediting cross-border trade and mobility as promoted by the African Union’s Mder Agenda 2063.
“Joint Border Posts are essential links along major regional transport corridors, contributing directly to the free movement of persons, goods, and services. They enable the Border Control Agencies of neighboring Member States to conduct joint controls, thereby reducing transit time and logistics costs, while enhancing security, transparency, and mutual trust between States,” stated the ECOWAS envoy.
To date, she disclosed that the ECOWAS Commission, with the support of its partners, has successfully completed the construction of several similar posts, including: on the the Sèmè-Kraké (between Benin-Nigeria border), Noèpé-Akanu (between Togo-Ghana border), Malanville (between Benin-Niger border, under the auspices of UEMOA); Ekok-Mfum (between Nigeria-Cameroon in ECCAS).
All these Joint Border Posts are equipped with computers, weighbridges and security scanners with the aim enhance border crossing formalities in our region.
“Today, we have the privilege of officially launching the construction works for the Joint Border Post between Liberia and Sierra Leone, a project fully financed by the ECOWAS Commission, which marks a major milestone in our region’s integration process. Today’s ceremony holds great symbolic and historic significance. The construction period is expected to be 24 Months with a commencement date of 26th November, 2025,” she furthered.
Madam Tchintchibidja is confident that this Joint Border Post will make a significant contribution to enhance the bond between the people and governments of Sierra Leone and Liberia strengthen regional integration, boost intra-African trade, and promote inclusive and sustainable economic development for the benefit of the people of our sub-region.
In a brief remark on behalf of the Government and People of Liberia, Justice Minister and Attorney General, Cllr. Natu. Oswald. Tweh, Sr. lauded ECOWAS for the landmark project that aims to further enhance the sisterly bond between the two countries, while at the same time promoting regional integration, trade facilitation and economic growth.
Cllr. Tweh then assured ECOWAS of Liberia’s commitment to fulfilling all of its obligations to the organization for economic transformation of people across the region.
At the same time, the Deputy Minister for Budget and Development Planning at the Ministry for Finance and Development or MFDP, Madam Tanneh G. Brunson, classed the project as a significant milestone in regional integration.
“This facility is strategic, in that it represents not only a physical construction which, once completed, will serve all ECOWAS citizens. It will serve as an entry point for our dedicated cross-border traders while enhancing security coordination, economic opportunities and strengthening the already warm and cordial relationship between our two sisterly nations: the Republic of Liberia and the Republic of Sierra Leone,” the top MFDP official told the gathering amid cheers from the audience and platform.
In addition to regional integration and trade facilitation, Deputy Minister Brumson indicated that this project is extremely important for peacebuilding, humanitarian responses, and governance reforms, stressing that it represents a tangible, day-to-day benefit that citizens will utilize directly.
“This Joint Border Post will be one of the first major ECOWAS-financed physical infrastructure projects in Liberia that will significantly enhance ECOWAS’ visibility and reinforce the organization’s commitment to regional integration as well.”
Madam Brumson believes that the JBP will reduce congestion and improve efficiency of trade and traveler processing, lower transport/logistics costs, which is key to competitiveness, and reduce road checkpoints that slow down trade and increase transport costs.
“This alone will bring immense benefits to transporters, traders, border officials, and local residents on both sides of the border. This groundbreaking is a clear demonstration of the ECOWAS Commission’s unwavering commitment to deepening economic and social ties across the region. It underscores ECOWAS’ determination to build an integrated community where goods, people, and services can move freely, efficiently, and safely,” she added.
Meanwhile, the official construction process will kick off November 26, 2025 and will run for 24 months – ending in 2027 November.
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