There are strong indications that the establishment of the National Rail Authority (NRA) could ensure that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s ARREST agenda succeeds in its goal of 5.9% growth to Liberia’s average annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the next five years.
Experts say that achieving this will support all industries in delivering the highest possible output, underscored by efficient and reliable infrastructure.
The Liberian National Rail Authority, which President Boakai reaffirmed in October 2025 through Executive Order 153, will be central to optimizing Liberia’s national assets.
This entity when established will ensure the safe, efficient and equitable use of critical infrastructure in Liberia. It will also play a critical role in achieving the ARREST Agenda’s goals of unlocking the full potential of the country’s infrastructure.
Proponents of the establishment of the NRA believe that the entity will connect regions and drive national development
“Liberia’s railway network is strategically positioned to support national development by advancing the country’s mining, agriculture and logistics sectors, all of which will enhance regional integration. For example, the Yekepa-Buchanan railway line has a framework for multi-user access which, when governed by the NRA, will become a hub for critical mineral transportation – connecting the resource rich Nimba region with the Buchanan port for international trade,” advocates for the establishment of the NRA said.
As the Legislature considers the enactment of the NRA Bill, a wide span of industries from agriculture and forestry to industrial freight and mining will be able to access critical rail infrastructure and ensure they are accountable to the same operator. This in turn prevents silos and increases transparency. It provides fair access to all instead of favoring a single user, adding that an independent operator will prioritize consistent health and safety standards.
The NRA will help to provide neutral, transparent oversight that prioritizes rigorous safety standards, frequent monitoring and the protection of workers and communities. Under its previous private ownership, there have been multiple instances of collisions and accidents on the Yekepa-Buchanan railway line as well as reports of rotting timber and resulting shifts in rails.
“Oversight from the NRA will provide safeguards to keep the railways maintained at a consistently high standard as well as ensuring clear signage, emergency procedures and track monitoring are in place to help prevent accidents and delays,” a lawmaker familiar with the content of the Bill stressed.
According to the lawmaker who preferred anonymity “It will also result in an injection of investment in the rehabilitation of the railways from new investors under the multi-user policy.”
What happens when the NRA is established?
The NRA will end monopolistic control of essential infrastructure by mandating open access to tracks and capacity, stopping exclusive access deals and anti-competitive pricing that slows down innovation and investment in infrastructure. The NRA will ensure privately operated rail infrastructure serves the public interest by enforcing transparency, setting clear performance benchmarks, scrutinizing finances, and imposing credible sanctions for non-compliance.
Establishing such oversight will ultimately promote responsible corporate behavior by holding rail users to high standards on environmental performance, workforce practices and community impact.
Time to Act
Some citizens in the affected concession communities believe that now is the moment for government to accelerate the transition to an independent rail authority in line with ARREST agenda because it will ensure Liberia’s critical infrastructure is governed transparently, safely, and in the long-term national interest.
