Monrovia — Intense, high-level deliberations are underway at the Executive Mansion as President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. weighs whether to veto—again—the re-enacted Liberia Sea and Inland Ports Regulatory Act, exposing a sharp divide within his inner circle and placing the administration in a state of political and legal ambivalence. Oswald Tweh, has again advised President Boakai to reject the bill, maintaining that lawmakers failed to cure the defects outlined in the President’s original veto message. What’s at StakeThe disputed legislation comprises two interrelated measures: the Liberia Sea and Inland Ports Regulatory Authority Act of 2025 and the Liberia Sea and Inland Ports Decentralization and Modernization Act of 2025. Tweh warned that the Regulatory Authority Act departs sharply from domestic governance norms and international best practices by concentrating regulatory, oversight, and operational functions within a single institution—an arrangement he said undermines regulatory independence and creates inherent conflicts of interest. For now, the re-enacted ports law has left the Boakai administration squarely in ambivalence, with implications that reach far beyond Liberia’s docks and harbors.

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President Joseph N. Boakai with Robert Friedland, the majority shareholder of Ivanhoe Atlantic (top right), at the inauguration of Guinean President Mamady Doumbouya (far left). (Bottom right to left): US delegation and Ivanhoe Atlantic Executives at the inauguration — Mary Daschbach, Chargé d’Affaire at the US Embassy, Conakry; Govind Friedland, IVA; ⁠Robert Friedland, IVA; ⁠Oumar Sylla, IVA; ⁠Nick Checker, Senior Official at the Bureau for Africa Affairs of the US State Department

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Speaking at the opening of the National Infrastructure Conference on Monday, January 19, 2026, the President emphasized that sound infrastructure is the primary requirement for creating a resilient and wealthy nation. President Boakai challenged citizens and stakeholders to look beyond temporary fixes, advocating for a “build back better” philosophy. President Boakai also spoke candidly about the “visible deterioration” of the nation’s assets, which he described as a lingering legacy of years of civil conflict. Ultimately, the President framed the rebuilding of Liberia’s infrastructure as an act of national healing. Concluding his address, President Boakai reaffirmed that his administration will keep infrastructure at the center of national recovery, ensuring that future systems protect the dignity of all Liberians and secure the nation’s long-term stability.

By Amos HarrisThe Director-General designate of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), J. Cyrus Saygbe, has pledged to strengthen governance, boost local fish production, and safeguard Liberia’s marine resources if confirmed as the head of the institution. Appearing before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries on Monday, January 19, 2026, Saygbe emphasized the critical role that fisheries and aquaculture play in ensuring national food security, job creation, and economic growth. During the hearing, Saygbe outlined a vision centered on transparency, institutional reform, and increased support for local fishermen and fish farmers. In response to Senate concerns regarding revenue leakages and the empowerment of coastal communities, Saygbe highlighted plans to expand inland fish farming. To achieve this, he intends to prioritize technical training and provide better access to fingerlings and support for local farmers.

"In this era of global instability, Africans must unite, integrate, and develop Africa for Africans." In Cameroon, electronic visas were rejected, forcing the team to drive ten hours back to Nigeria to reapply, Mubarak revealed. A visa-free Africa, he argues, would dramatically boost intra-African trade, complementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by removing the human mobility barriers that still choke cross-border commerce. According to Mubarak, tourism connects hospitality, transport, crafts, food, and entertainment--creating jobs and government revenue across value chains. "Visa-free Africa creates opportunities at home."

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), a Daimler Truck company, has officially launched the new eCanter, its all-electric light-duty truck, in the United Arab Emirates, marking an important milestone in advancing sustainable commercial mobility in the region. The launch event, held in Dubai in collaboration with Al Habtoor Motors, the authorized distributor of FUSO vehicles in the UAE, brought together key customers, partners, and stakeholders from across the commercial vehicle sector. The introduction of the New eCanter reinforces FUSO’s commitment to supporting customers in their transition toward zero-emission transport solutions, particularly for urban and last-mile operations. The new eCanter is Japan’s first mass-produced electric light-duty truck and has already been introduced in multiple global markets. Built on FUSO’s proven light-duty truck platform, the new eCanter combines electric driveline technology with the brand’s long-standing standards of reliability and practicality.