By Godgift Harris
Authorities of the National Port Authority (NPA) has unveiled US$550 million Strategic Plan (2025–2030).
The Plan is designed to modernize ports, improve operational efficiency, and position the country as a major maritime hub in West Africa.
The five-year roadmap, launched on Monday, October 27, 2025, at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, brought together senior government officials, lawmakers, international development partners, private sector representatives and members of the media.
In his keynote address, NPA Managing director, Sekou A.M. Dukuly, described the initiative as a “bold move to transform ports, and a step to reposition ports from revenue-collection centers to dynamic engines of trade and economic growth.”
“For too long, our ports have been seen as mere revenue collection points,” Dukuly said.
He added: “Today, we change that narrative. Our ports will now be recognized as hubs for trade facilitation, anchors of economic growth, and pillars of national development.”
The NPA 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, sets out a framework centered on infrastructure modernization; governance reform; efficiency enhancement, and financial diversification. It also aims to strengthen competitiveness in regional and global maritime trade.
Dukuly: The plan seeks to transition the NPA from maintenance to modernization; from dependency to diversification, and from isolation to a united port system.”
At the heart of the new strategy is a reform model code-named RESET, which is built on five key transformation pillars.
These include the modernization of the outdated 1970s governance structure, full automation, and digitization of port operations; workforce development, and the creation of a sustainable financial model.
To reduce congestion at the Freeport of Monrovia and boost cross-border trade, the NPA also intends to develop inland terminals to expand services to neighboring countries.
This, Dukuly said, would make Liberia a regional logistics and maritime hub.
A major feature of the plan is the establishment of a Port Infrastructure Investment Fund, with the NPA committing to dedicate 15–20 percent of its annual revenue to infrastructure expansion, and modernization projects.
Dukuly said the Strategic Plan is fully aligned with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, ensuring that port transformation directly supports national economic recovery goals.
He lauded the Minister of Finance, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, for his leadership in coordinating the economic reform agenda and promoting transparency and accountability across institutions.
“This Plan was developed through an inclusive, evidence-based process. It represents our collective commitment to reform efficiency, and inclusive growth.”
Dukuly reaffirmed the Authority’s readiness to collaborate with local and international partners in implementing the plan, which he described as “a vision to build a stronger, smarter, and more competitive port system that drives trade, creates jobs, and fuels national prosperity.”
The launch of the Plan marks a major milestone in Liberia’s maritime development, signaling a new era of innovation and growth for the port sector, and its role in regional trade integration.