By Julius Konton
The Liberia Football Association (LFA) and the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), have signed a landmark US$250,000 partnership agreement.
The Agreement signaled renewed institutional support for football and the national team, the Lone Star.
The one-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), renewable upon review, was formally signed on Tuesday, February 10, at LiMA’s Headquarters in Congo Town, outside Monrovia.
The funding forms part of LiMA’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.
It is aimed at strengthening football development structures, and supporting the operational needs of national teams.
At the signing ceremony, LiMA Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Counselor Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., described the partnership as a strategic national investment rather than a symbolic sponsorship.
“This investment of US$250,000 into our national football, is a direct commitment to unlock the potential of our young people. Through this partnership with the LFA, we are not only supporting football development, but also promoting empowerment, discipline and national pride.
Our goal is to ensure that the success of Liberia’s maritime program translates into real opportunities for young Liberians, both on and off the pitch.”
The maritime sector is one of the country’s most successful revenue-generating industries.
The Liberian Ship Registry, administered by LiMA, remains among the largest open registries in the world, contributing millions of dollars annually to national revenue making this intervention one of the most significant direct government-backed investments into sports in recent years.
LFA President Mustapha Raji, welcomed the partnership, which he described as “historic and transformative for country’s football ecosystem.”
Raji confirmed that the funds will be directed toward youth development programs, grassroots football, women’s football, and the operational demands of the national teams.
According to LFA data, Liberian clubs earned approximately
US$480,000 from 22 outgoing player transfers in 2025, reflecting increasing global demand for Liberian talent.
The LiMA partnership is widely viewed by analysts as a turning point, demonstrating how public institutions can directly support sports as a tool for national development.