The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening its bilateral partnership with Liberia, placing renewed emphasis on youth empowerment, infrastructure development, agriculture, and energy distribution, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information’s weekly press briefing, EU Ambassador to Liberia, Nona Deprez, said the Union remains a long-term and predictable partner to Liberia and will continue supporting sectors critical to national development. According to her, priority areas include the rehabilitation of key infrastructure such as the Robert International Airport and the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant, both seen as strategic assets for economic growth and regional connectivity.
Ambassador Deprez highlighted the EU’s longstanding engagement with Liberia, noting that Liberian exports continue to enjoy access to European markets. She also pointed to ongoing EU-supported programmes aimed at increasing local rice production to improve farmers’ incomes and strengthen food security.
She said the EU is working closely with the Government of Liberia and the Ministry of Agriculture to advance systemic reforms in the agricultural sector, attract private sector investment, and strengthen agricultural value chains. As part of this effort, the EU is supporting comprehensive soil mapping, an area Liberia currently lacks, alongside initiatives to improve food safety standards to safeguard public health.
Beyond economic development, the ambassador said the EU remains committed to supporting democratic governance by strengthening media institutions and policy frameworks that promote accountability and transparency.
In the energy sector, she explained that EU interventions are focused on expanding electricity distribution, especially in southeastern Liberia. Plans include the construction of a 1.5-megawatt solar power plant, alongside continued investments in hydropower, aimed at boosting generation capacity and reducing electricity costs for households and businesses.
She further disclosed that the EU expects to announce a major development in Liberia’s energy sector in the coming weeks. Additional support will also be provided to the aviation sector through the supply of equipment and safety upgrades at the Robert International Airport.
According to Ambassador Deprez, the EU’s investment approach is anchored in democracy and good governance, adding that Liberia has made encouraging progress and remains well positioned for deeper cooperation.
Looking ahead to 2026, she revealed that the EU has signed a €27 million grant agreement with the Government of Liberia, alongside additional sector-specific cooperation programmes. She said these initiatives reflect the Union’s continued commitment to supporting Liberia’s development priorities, particularly in energy, labour, education, and sustainable economic growth.
