The Liberian government has signed an agreement with Morocco’s Tanger Med Engineering to modernize the ports of Monrovia and Buchanan, positioning them as competitive regional trade centers through advanced logistics technology and infrastructure development.
Led by Liberia’s National Port Authority (NPA) under Director General Sekou Hussein Dukuly, the comprehensive master plan aligns with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s ARREST agenda, which prioritizes agriculture, roads, reconciliation, education, health, and technology.
“This agreement goes beyond a simple infrastructure project: it’s a national milestone,” Dukuly told local media. “By investing in world-class port facilities, we are laying the foundations for job creation, capital attraction, and sustainable growth.”
The modernization plan includes rehabilitation of container terminals, upgrade of cargo berths, modernization of warehouses, deployment of smart logistics platforms, installation of advanced security systems, and integration of environmentally responsible energy solutions. Dredging operations will increase the ports’ capacity to accommodate larger vessels, potentially boosting trade volumes along the West African maritime corridor.
The plan aims to reduce clearance times, increase operational capacity, and digitize port and customs services, creating a more transparent and efficient business environment. Additionally, it positions Monrovia to serve as a transit corridor for neighboring landlocked states like Mali and Guinea.
This agreement deepens commitments established in November 2024 between the NPA and Marsa Maroc for creating a multipurpose terminal at Monrovia port and rehabilitating the Buchanan port terminal.
The collaboration represents another step in Morocco’s expanding maritime influence in Africa. In January, Marsa Maroc established a subsidiary to manage investments and operate new ports in East and West Africa, including projects in Djibouti and Benin.
Once completed, the modernized ports could help redistribute commercial flows along the Atlantic coast and potentially capture substantial transshipment traffic from more congested regional ports.