Africa-Press – Liberia. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. recently officially commissioned the newly constructed headquarters and international-standard laboratories of the Liberia Standards Authority (LiSA).
The ceremony, held at the Ministry of Public Works compound on UN Drive, marks a turning point for the nation’s National Quality Infrastructure. Established by the 2022 LiSA Act as a semi-autonomous body, the Authority is now fully equipped to handle standardization, testing, and certification—critical components for moving Liberian goods into the global marketplace.
Delivering the keynote address, President Boakai emphasized that the commissioning is about more than just a new building; it is a strategic investment in the “ARREST” agenda.
“Standards are the foundation of a strong economy,” the President told the gathering of diplomats and cabinet ministers.
“This Authority will prevent our local market—long plagued by poor standards—from being flooded with dangerous, low-quality, counterfeit, and unhealthy imports.”
The President noted that by enforcing rigorous regulations, LiSA would ensure that “Made in Liberia” products meet international benchmarks, specifically helping the country meet its commitments under the World Trade Organization (WTO).
“To our farmers and innovators: this institution is your partner,” President Boakai concluded. “As standards rise, opportunities expand—and when opportunities expand, Liberia prospers.”
Giving the overview and welcoming statement, Stephen Y. Mambu, Director General LiSA, said the modernization of LiSA was made possible through the Liberia Food Safety Initiative (LiFSI), a robust partnership funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
According to him, throughout 2025, the initiative provided holistic support to transform LiSA into an internationally recognized conformity assessment body. This included: Infrastructure: Installation of hybrid power and reliable water systems, Technical Upgrades: Modernized laboratory fittings and training facilities, Strategic Growth: Development of a business plan to connect LiSA to global networks like Codex.
Speaking on behalf of UNIDO, Providence Mavubi, Director of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development, called the facility the silent backbone of a modern economy.
“Today, we do more than inaugurate a facility; we celebrate a strategic investment in governance and public health,” Mavubi said. “LiSA will play a central role in ensuring Liberian products meet international requirements while safeguarding the wellbeing of the Liberian people.”
EU Ambassador Nona Deprez highlighted that the timing of the launch is critical, coming just days before the Liberia-EU Business Forum scheduled for February 24-25 in Brussels.
“Reliable standardization and metrology systems are the cornerstone for strong and sustainable business partnerships,” Ambassador Deprez stated.
The EU-backed initiative specifically targets five key value chains: Rice, Cassava, Coffee, Cocoa, and Fish. The support operates on three levels: One, Macro: Strengthening the national food control system and inspection services, Two, Meso: Upgrading laboratories toward international accreditation and reinforcing food safety education in universities, and three Micro: Helping local farmers and cooperatives comply with safety requirements to reach better markets.
The launch signals to the world that Liberia is ready for business. For years, Liberian entrepreneurs struggled to export goods due to the lack of recognized local certification.
The ceremony ended with a guided tour of the new facilities, which are expected to begin full-scale testing and certification services immediately.
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