The Senate has mandated the joint committee on ways, mean, finance and commerce and industry to conduct an in-depth inquiry on the status and implementation of section 4.4 of the Small Business Empowerment Act of 2014.
The decision resulted from a concern Senator Amara M. Konneh of Gbarpolu County raised through a communication he submitted to the body.
Konneh acknowledged through his communication that section 4.4 of the Small Business Empowerment Act of 2014 mandates that at least 25 percent of all public procurement for goods and services under the national budget be allocated to Liberian-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
He added that this clause is a “critical instrument designed to enhance Liberian participation in the national economy, boost domestic production, foster job creation, and build a resilient and inclusive private sector.”
In his communication dated June 20, 2025, and addressed to the President Pro-Tempore, Nyongblee Lawrence-Karnga, Sen. Konneh expressed concern that more than a decade since the law was enacted, there is a troubling lack of public data or comprehensive reporting to show whether the 25 percent procurement quota is being effectively implemented.
He argued that the absence of transparency, monitoring, and enforcement mechanisms undermines the legislative intent of the law and may be denying Liberian-owned businesses “critical opportunities” to participate meaningfully in national development.
Konneh further proposed that the Senate take legislative action by mandating the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) to submit a detailed report addressing key areas.
Those areas are the total value and percentage of public procurement awarded to Liberian-owned MSMEs over the past five years; a comprehensive list of government entities in compliance and non-compliance with the 25 percent local procurement requirement; the mechanisms and tools in place to track, verify, and enforce the provision; and the challenges and obstacles encountered in the implementation of this clause, and recommendations for strengthening compliance and accountability going forward.
Following his presentation, the plenary overwhelmingly voted and endorsed the request.
They then referred the matter to the joint committees on commerce, investment, ways, means, and finance for further legislative action.
The joint committee is instructed to conduct a comprehensive review and submit a report to plenary with findings within two weeks.