The Ministry of Mines and Energy in Liberia opened the Liberia International Mining and Energy Conference and Expo 2026, or LIMEC, on Friday, October 16, at the ministry's conference room in Monrovia. According to AllAfrica, the event aims to draw fresh capital, bolster the national mining and energy sectors, and convert natural resource wealth into sustainable economic growth and employment. The conference is scheduled for October 28 and 29, 2026, at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County, gathering international investors, policymakers, and local businesses to explore partnership opportunities.
Mines and Energy Minister R. Matenokay Tingban characterized the initiative as a strategic platform for repositioning Liberia's mineral and energy assets as key drivers of national development. As reported by AllAfrica, Tingban emphasized that Liberia must transition from simple extraction to a development model delivering greater economic benefits to citizens. He stated that securing credible investment requires policy consistency, regulatory clarity, institutional capacity, and infrastructure development, beyond just resource availability. The minister highlighted the need for reliable and affordable electricity, environmental protection, and meaningful local community participation to ensure resource management boosts government revenue and livelihoods.
While domestic conference preparations advanced, Liberia’s Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung addressed the Mining in Motion 2026 conference in Accra. MyJoyOnline reported that Koung argued African nations need to grasp the actual worth of their mineral assets before finalizing terms with investors. He noted that Africa has historically shipped out raw and minimally processed minerals, allowing much of the skilled employment and commercial value to be generated elsewhere. Koung called for a unified African minerals policy respecting national sovereignty and establishing common principles to secure fair returns and protect local communities.
Koung suggested that governments enhance geological surveys, labs, and digital information systems to better understand their mineral deposits. According to MyJoyOnline, he explained that accurate geological data, open licensing, and strong regulatory bodies would help governments secure better agreements. He also proposed increased cooperation on taxation, beneficial ownership, and local content to reduce harmful inter-African competition and boost collective negotiating strength. The Vice President stressed that mineral processing demands dependable power, efficient transport, and skilled labor, suggesting African states should identify regional projects leveraging their combined strengths in minerals, energy, and processing.