Monrovia, February 19, 2026 — In a move framed as central to Liberia’s economic modernization agenda, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on Thursday commissioned the newly constructed headquarters of the Liberia Standards Authority, signaling a renewed push for quality control, consumer protection, and trade competitiveness.
The ceremony, held at the Ministry of Public Works compound along UN Drive in Monrovia, underscored what the President described as a strategic shift from policy rhetoric to institutional enforcement.
President Boakai characterized standards as the structural foundation of any resilient and competitive economy. He emphasized that the new facility is not merely a physical upgrade but a regulatory instrument designed to strengthen oversight, improve enforcement mechanisms, and safeguard the public from hazardous, counterfeit, and substandard goods circulating in the market.
According to the President, strengthening standards enforcement will enhance market integrity and restore public confidence in locally available products.
Beyond domestic consumer protection, the President highlighted the broader economic implications of robust standards compliance. He noted that harmonizing Liberian goods across the production value chain will increase their competitiveness in regional and international markets, particularly under Liberia’s obligations to the World Trade Organization.
By aligning national standards with global benchmarks, Liberia aims to improve export readiness and reduce technical barriers to trade. President Boakai expressed appreciation to the European Union and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization for their sustained support. He described their partnership as instrumental in strengthening Liberia’s regulatory capacity and advancing sustainable development objectives.
Addressing farmers, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and innovators, the President urged the private sector to regard the Standards Authority as a collaborative partner rather than a bureaucratic hurdle. He argued that improved standards create expanded market access, stimulate investment confidence, and ultimately drive national prosperity.
“As standards rise, opportunities expand—and when opportunities expand, Liberia prospers,” he stated.
Concluding the event, President Boakai formally declared the headquarters commissioned, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to institutional reform, regulatory discipline, and long-term economic transformation.
