Africa-Press – Liberia. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Liberia today underscored the pivotal role of Liberian entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in advancing the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
Speaking at the final pitch and selection ceremony for Liberia MSMEs Growth Accelerator Programme (Growth Accelerator Liberia) – Cohort V, UNDP Liberia Resident Representative Aliou Dia affirmed that the program’s value extends beyond competition to building Liberia’s future.
“The program is not all about winning; by participating, we are investing in Liberia’s future journey. There are many avenues to build something lasting and significant for Liberia. As SMEs, you are already part of the future we want, whether you win in this pitching session or not,” stated Dia.
Dia emphasized that the private sector remains the backbone of Liberia’s economy and that entrepreneurs are instrumental in driving inclusive growth, job creation, and innovation nationwide. “You are the forerunners of the ARREST Agenda. Convince the jury with conviction. We have big projects on the horizon,” he told participants.
The Growth Accelerator Liberia is a flagship initiative of with UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) and other development partners. It provides technical support, mentorship, and co-financing grants to help high-potential businesses scale sustainably. Since 2021, the program has supported over 104 MSMEs and cooperatives with more than USD 2.3 million in investment.
Cohort V marks the latest group of entrepreneurs selected through a rigorous process to receive mentorship, business planning guidance, and potential support to expand impact.
Dia reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to collaborating with the Liberian government and development partners to broaden opportunities for local enterprises, noting that sustained private sector growth is essential to national prosperity.
Mr. Tarnue N. Jeke, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry also spoke, reiterating the government’s commitment to strengthening private sector growth through innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive development.
On behalf of Commerce Minister Magdalene E. Dagoseh, who is attending the TICAD 9 Summit in Japan, Deputy Minister Jeke described Growth Accelerator as more than a competition—a celebration of innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurship at the heart of Liberia’s economic transformation.
“Entrepreneurship is central to Liberia’s national transformation,” Jeke said. “The Growth Accelerator Liberia Programme is building a pipeline of investable Liberian businesses ready to attract financing, scale operations, and contribute to national prosperity.” He noted the program’s emphasis on women- and youth-led enterprises, green value chains, and regional balance aligned with the ARREST Agenda.
Cohort V reflects transparency and rigor, with participants undergoing mentorship, due diligence, and business planning before presenting growth strategies. The most promising ventures will receive resources to expand impact and create more jobs.
Luther D. Jeke, CEO of iCampus Liberia, provided an overview of Cohort V: 18 promising businesses were shortlisted to compete for support packages, including USD 10,000 grants, mentorship, and technical assistance, following a nationwide selection process.
The program attracted 209 applications from 13 counties. To ensure transparency, CENTAL (Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia) guided the vetting process. From an initial pool, applicants were narrowed to 100, then to 26, and finally to 18 after due diligence.
“These 18 businesses will pitch their growth plans for a chance to access critical financing,” Jeke stated.
The Liberia MSMEs Growth Accelerator Programme is targeted at post-revenue businesses and cooperatives across all sectors, offering a combination of co-financing grants (up to USD 40,000), mentorship, and technical assistance to help them scale.
Selected Cohort V businesses include: Angea Agro Hub Inc., Choices Liberia Limited, James’ Healthline Liberia Limited, JBC Enterprise, Afro Resources Inc., Leelah Group of Companies, Liberia Agri-Processing Venture (LAP Venture), Harvesting Hope Enterprise, Youth Agricbusiness for Liberian Indigenous Vegetable and Green Investment, and other innovative ventures.
About Growth Accelerator Liberia
Growth Accelerator Liberia is a public-private initiative led by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) in partnership with UNDP and development partners. The program supports innovative, scalable Liberian ventures with mentorship, due diligence, and co-financing grants to expand jobs, productivity, and inclusive growth.
About UNDP in Liberia
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works with Liberian authorities, civil society, and development partners to promote inclusive growth, resilience, and sustainable development. UNDP Liberia focuses on accelerating economic transformation, governance, and private sector development to improve livelihoods across the country.
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
