The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 held a one-day media orientation for Journalists ahead of the National Non-Performing Loan Conference. The events brought together several media institutions from prints, electronics and delegates from Ministry of Finance. CBL Governor Saamoi recognizes the critical role that journalists and media practitioners, play in informing public discourse, shaping understanding, and fostering accountability.
He said media presence at event reflects their commitment to ensuring that economic and financial issues of national importance are communicated accurately and responsibly to the Liberian people.
Governor Saamoi said the upcoming National Non-Performing Loans Conference is not merely another financial sector event and or a strategic national dialogue intended to address one of the most persistent constraints to economic growth, private sector development, access to credit, and financial sector stability in Liberia.
“Across the world, a healthy banking system serves as the engine of economic development by mobilizing savings and channeling credit to productive sectors. However, when a significant portion of loans are not repaid according to agreed terms, financial institutions become more cautious in extending new credit, businesses face financing constraints, investors lose confidence, and economic expansion slows,” he said.
According to the CBL boss, the issue of non-performing loans affects more than banks and it affects entrepreneurs seeking capital to expand their businesses, farmers seeking finance to improve productivity, young people pursuing opportunities, women-owned enterprises striving to grow, and communities seeking jobs and prosperity.
He further said addressing the NPL challenge is not only a banking-sector priority; it is a national development imperative. He disclosed that the conference will bring together policymakers, financial institutions, members of the judiciary, legal professionals, development partners, business leaders, legislators, and other key stakeholders to discuss practical and sustainable solutions to challenges that have historically hindered loan recovery, collateral enforcement, credit discipline, and responsible lending practices.
The CBL Governor said the objective is straightforward: to build a stronger credit culture that promotes greater access to financing while safeguarding financial stability and a key area of focus will be the modernization of credit infrastructure, including the Enhanced Collateral Registry System.
He said CBL believes that sustainable economic growth requires a financial system that is both stable and inclusive and this means creating an environment where responsible borrowers are able to access financing, financial institutions are protected through effective risk-management frameworks, and disputes can be resolved efficiently through predictable legal and regulatory mechanisms.
He said the discussions and outcomes emerging from the conference will involve technical concepts that influence the lives of ordinary Liberian and encourage journalists to help bridge the gap between technical policy discussions and public understanding.
Governor Saamoi seeks partnership in ensuring that the public receives accurate, balanced, and insightful reporting on the issues surrounding non-performing loans, access to credit, collateral systems, debt obligations, and financial sector reforms.
He indicated that the success of the National Non-Performing Loans Conference will depend not only on the quality of the discussions among stakeholders but also on the ability to communicate its outcomes effectively to the public and journalists reporting will be instrumental in ensuring that the recommendations emerging from the Conference translate into broader public awareness and support for necessary reforms.
Speaking earlier, CBL Head of Corporate Communication, Cllr. P. Alphonsus Zeon said the engagement was to bring together key stakeholders including banks and other institutions to discuss practical ways of solving problems that hinder economic growth.
He said the conference seeks to increase awareness of the collateral registry system and under the new system, both movable assets (such as vehicles, machinery, and equipment) and immovable assets can be used as collateral.
Deputy Minister for Press and Public Affair at Information Ministry, Daniel O. Sando lauded participants and presenters and expressed optimism that the event will spur up into the responses for the upcoming conference and the importance of non-performing loans within the country, to help to support economic development.
