LERC Earns Regional Recognition
By Godgift Harris
The Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC) has reported substantial achievements in strengthening the country’s electricity sector.
The LERC’ exercise has meanwhile, earned the country a spot among Africa’s top 10 electricity regulators, according to the African Development Bank’s latest Electricity Regulatory Index (ERI).
LERC’s Managing Director, Augustus V. Goanue, made the disclosure at Information Ministry’s press briefing.
The press briefing was held on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, when Mr. Goanue outlined the Commission’s progress, regional engagements and future plans. The aim was to transform the electricity landscape in the country.
Established under the landmark 2015 Electricity Law, LERC was created as an independent authority tasked with regulating the sector.
The law redefined roles within the industry positioning the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) strictly as a service provider and entrusting regulatory oversight to the Commission.
“Our mandate is clear: we are to ensure transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in the power sector,” Goanue told journalists at the briefing.
“From licensing operators to enforcing compliance and resolving disputes, our work centers on creating a robust, and investor-friendly electricity market.”
Since its inception, LERC has issued five full electricity licenses and several permits.
The Commission has also developed and published 17 regulatory instruments that serve as key tools to guide service providers, protect consumers, and streamline the sector’s operations.
LERC has actively engaged with international regulatory bodies, including the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA), and the African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR).
These collaborations enable the country to align with global best practices in utility governance.
By this, the country is set to host the 2027 annual conference and general assembly of AFUR, a major event that will bring together leading energy regulators from across the continent.
Mr. Goanue described the opportunity as a “historic moment that will further spotlight the country’s leadership in regional energy reform.”
One of LERC’s most recent achievements includes the approval of a new electricity tariff structure for the Nimba County-based Jungle Energy Power (JEP), a hybrid mini-grid project operating in Bong County.
JEP is owned by business tycoon, Tomah-Seh Floyd.
The project integrates solar energy and other renewable sources to expand power access in rural areas.
In addition, ongoing tariff reviews are underway for major operators, such as LEC and Live Energy.
These companies serve Grand Gedeh, Maryland, and River Gee counties.
The tariff updates aim to ensure fairness, cost recovery, and improved service delivery.
To raise standards and ensure public safety, LERC has launched a national certification system for electrical professionals and contractors.
Developed in collaboration with local technical institutions and the Liberia Standards Authority (LSA), this system aims to ensure that only trained and qualified personnel handle electrical work.
“Electricity is not just a service, but a matter of life and safety,” Mr. Goanue added.
“With this certification system, we are protecting lives and enhancing technical capacity.”
The Commission continues its rigorous inspection and monitoring activities in Nimba, Bong, Grand Gedeh, and River Gee counties.
These operations ensure that licensed operators adhere to technical standards, safety protocols, and service delivery commitments.
According to Mr. Goanue, these inspections are vital in upholding public trust and enforcing the rule of law within the electricity industry.
He then announced that the country now ranks among the top 10 electricity regulators in Africa, a notable leap from its first appearance in the African Development Bank’s ERI in 2020.
“This recognition is not just for LERC it’s for the country,” Goanue said, adding: “It reflects our collective determination to build an electricity sector that serves every rural and urban homes and industries.”
Mr. Goanue reaffirmed LERC’s unwavering commitment to upholding its legal mandate and driving transformation in the country’s electricity industry.