In a significant move to attract French investments to Liberia, His Excellency Dr. Teeko T. Yorlay, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Liberia to France, met with Mr. Alexandre Elezzi, Head of North & West Africa for the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF). The meeting, held at the Liberian Embassy in Paris, focused on fostering economic cooperation and creating business opportunities between Liberia and French enterprises.
Ambassador Yorlay highlighted Liberia’s commitment to improving its investment climate, emphasizing President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s robust anti-corruption efforts and governance reforms aimed at fostering transparency and accountability. He assured Mr. Elezzi that Liberia is a stable and viable destination for French businesses, with immense opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, transportation, energy, tourism, and natural resource exploration.
“The Boakai administration is instituting policies that will create an enabling environment for investments, ensuring that Liberia is an attractive destination for French businesses,” Ambassador Yorlay stated. He underscored the importance of Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), which prioritizes economic transformation and foreign investment as critical pillars of national growth.
During the discussion, Ambassador Yorlay recalled the meeting between Presidents Emmanuel Macron and Joseph Nyuma Boakai on the sidelines of the 2024 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where President Macron extended an invitation to President Boakai to attend the Francophonie Summit. The Ambassador reiterated Liberia’s interest in deepening economic ties with France and urged MEDEF to explore specific investment opportunities aligned with Liberia’s development agenda.
Mr. Elezzi welcomed Ambassador Yorlay to Paris and expressed MEDEF’s readiness to strengthen business relations with Liberia. He acknowledged the potential for French enterprises in Liberia and revealed that approximately 20 French companies are already engaged in various sectors, including maritime and renewable energy. He emphasized MEDEF’s strategy to expand its footprint in Liberia and proposed two key initiatives:
- A French Business Trade Delegation to Liberia – MEDEF plans to organize a high-level business delegation to Monrovia in October or November 2025. This visit will allow French investors to engage with Liberian government officials and business stakeholders to explore potential partnerships.
- Engagement with Visiting Liberian Delegations – MEDEF will facilitate business meetings for Liberian government officials visiting France to discuss investment opportunities and key areas of economic cooperation.
Ambassador Yorlay also used the opportunity to propose a high-level business meeting between Vice President Jeremiah K. Koung and MEDEF during the Vice President’s visit to France for the Global Nutrition Summit in March 2025. Mr. Elezzi agreed to host the engagement at MEDEF’s headquarters, with tentative dates set for March 27 or 30, pending confirmation from the Vice President’s office.
Beyond investment discussions, Mr. Elezzi inquired about Liberia’s relationship with the United States following the recent suspension of USAID projects and sought Liberia’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the geopolitical situation in the Sahel region. In response, Ambassador Yorlay reaffirmed Liberia’s historic ties with the U.S. and assured that the Liberian government is proactively seeking alternative funding sources, including potential partnerships with the French Development Agency (AFD). On global security issues, he reiterated Liberia’s commitment to peace and diplomatic engagement, expressing hope for a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to fostering stronger business relations between Liberia and France. Ambassador Yorlay assured MEDEF of the Liberian government’s readiness to facilitate investment opportunities, while Mr. Elezzi expressed optimism about increasing French business presence in Liberia.
