President Joseph N. Boakai has delivered a blunt message on Liberia’s development priorities, declaring that the country must move beyond an economy dominated by hardware shops and embrace modern, people-centered investments.
Speaking Friday, April 10, 2026, at the grand opening of the Monrovia Super Mall in Congo Town, the President praised the facility as a symbol of progress while challenging investors to rethink the type of businesses shaping the nation’s urban landscape.
“We are tired of building material stores. We want to see places where people can go and shop in dignity, spend time, and experience a better quality of life,” he said. The President described the mall as more than just a commercial center; it’s a reflection of stability, national pride, and Liberia’s growing attractiveness to high-quality investment.
He emphasized that such developments signal a country “on the right path,” where citizens can enjoy improved living standards and modern amenities. Boakai also stressed that investments like the Super Mall play a critical role in tackling unemployment, particularly among young people.
According to him, creating spaces that generate jobs and reduce idle time is essential to building confidence in the economy. “This is the kind of investment that puts value in our lives. It shows respect for the people and improves how we live every day,” the President said.
Moreover, Boakai acknowledged that Liberia has long lacked modern shopping infrastructure, noting that the new mall sets a standard for what the country should aspire to.
He urged both local and international investors to seize the opportunity to contribute to Liberia’s transformation, especially as the government moves to clean up urban areas and reorganize informal commercial zones. Boakai framed the mall’s opening as the beginning of a broader shift in Liberia’s development story. “This is just the beginning. We want more of this, investments that bring pride, dignity, and real change to our country,” the President noted.
For his part, the Chinese Ambassador to Liberia Yin Chengwu, hailed the mall as a milestone in bilateral cooperation, linking it to increased Chinese investment under Boakai’s administration. He noted that Liberia’s improving business climate and ongoing development agenda have helped attract foreign partners.
The Ambassador highlighted China’s zero-tariff policy for Liberian exports and growing trade ties, revealing that Liberia’s exports to China rose significantly in 2025. According to him, the policy would further open opportunities for Liberian goods in the Chinese market while supporting job creation and industrial growth at home. Describing the mall as a “modern, integrated shopping and dining destination,” the envoy said it represents both economic progress and the enduring friendship between Liberia and China.
The Monrovia Super Mall is expected to provide dozens of jobs, expand retail options, and redefine the shopping experience in the capital—marking what many see as a new chapter in Liberia’s urban and economic transformation.
