Executive Order 166 Challenged

Charles Bamakpeh, Chief Executive Officer of Meawon Liberia Incorporated, and a member of the National Rubber Brokers and Farmers Union, has renewed his criticism of Executive Order No. 166, warning that the government’s restrictions on the export of unprocessed rubber could have serious consequences for Liberian exporters, rubber farmers, brokers and transport operators.

Speaking during a press engagement over the weekend, Bamakpeh said he has repeatedly raised concerns about the Executive Order and its potential impact on people whose livelihoods depend on Liberia’s rubber industry.

According to him, the order is affecting various categories of Liberians involved in the rubber value chain, including motorcycle operators, tricycle riders, pickup truck owners, transporters, rubber brokers and farmers.

Bamakpeh disclosed that his company has an existing 2,000-metric-ton rubber export contract with an international partner, which he said was scheduled for delivery in July 2026.

He said the situation became particularly concerning following the signing of Executive Order No. 166 on June 26, 2026, which, according to him, prohibits the export of unprocessed rubber beginning July 1.

The rubber exporter questioned the government’s classification of rubber produced by independent Liberian farmers and exporters as “unprocessed,” while certain rubber produced by established concessionaires is treated differently.

Bamakpeh argued that rubber produced in Liberia, regardless of the producer, ultimately undergoes additional processing outside the country before being transformed into finished products such as tires and other rubber-based materials.

He particularly questioned whether the long-established Firestone operation in Liberia has produced finished consumer rubber products such as rubber bands, arguing that simply exporting rubber for further transformation should not automatically make one category of rubber more valuable than another.

Bamakpeh also alleged that major rubber concessionaires, including Firestone, JETTY, Lee Group and the Liberia Agricultural Company (LAC), influenced discussions surrounding the government’s decision to introduce the latest restrictions.

He further claimed that these companies advocated for a more stringent measure, including an indefinite ban on rubber exports, rather than the surcharge-based approach contained in an earlier policy announced in August 2025.

The businessman said the previous arrangement allowed rubber exports subject to the payment of a surcharge, but argued that the latest policy represents a significant shift that could place independent rubber farmers, brokers and exporters under severe economic pressure.

Bamakpeh  has called for greater consultation between the government and stakeholders in the rubber sector, stressing that policies affecting the industry should take into consideration the livelihoods of farmers, traders, exporters and transporters.

He maintained that the government’s goal of promoting local value addition can be achieved without undermining Liberian-owned businesses and small-scale operators within the rubber value chain.

The concerns have come amid ongoing national discussions over how Liberia can increase domestic processing, retain more value from its natural resources and create jobs while protecting the interests of local producers.