Monrovia, Liberia – July 3, 2026: –In a country where young people continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience, creativity and ambition despite economic challenges, a new initiative launched recently is expected to create pathways for ideas to become businesses, and businesses to become engines of opportunity.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with iCampus Liberia, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), the University of Liberia and UniPod Liberia, on Tuesday June 30, 2026, officially launched the Livelihood, Youth Employment and Placement Accelerator (LiYEPA)—a six-month pilot programme designed to help young entrepreneurs turn innovation into income and passion into purpose.
More than a programme, LiYEPA is a story about possibilities.
It is about the young woman in Buchanan transforming agricultural waste into sustainable products, the university student developing a digital solution to address local challenges, the aspiring entrepreneur in Ganta looking for mentorship and financing to scale a business idea or rather a determined youth who sees opportunity where others see obstacles.
LiYEPA was created for them.
A New Chapter for Liberia’s Young Innovators
Across Liberia, thousands of young people possess innovative ideas but often face barriers such as limited access to financing, mentorship, technology, markets and business development support.
LiYEPA seeks to change that reality.
Implemented by iCampus Liberia with technical and financial support from UNDP and strategic collaboration with national partners, this initiative brings together the essential ingredients entrepreneurs need to grow.
These include training, mentorship, prototype development, business incubation, investor engagement and results-based grant financing.
Speaking at the launch, Stanley Kamara, UNDP Liberia’s Inclusive Governance Pillar Head, delivering remarks on behalf of Resident Representative Aliou Mamadou Dia, described LiYEPA as an investment in Liberia’s greatest asset—its people.
Today is not simply the launch of another programme. Today, we launch possibilities.
We launch hope for young Liberians with bold ideas but limited opportunities. Above all, we launch a new partnership built on a simple but powerful belief that when we invest in young people, we invest in the future of Liberia, Kamara intimated.
Delivering remarks on behalf of Minister of Commerce and Industry Magdalene Ellen Dagoseh, Kelvin DJ Matadi said LiYEPA aligns with the Government of Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, advancing efforts to stimulate private sector growth, foster innovation and expand employment opportunities for young people.
“The launch reflects a strong spirit of collaboration among government, development partners and the private sector to strengthen entrepreneurship, nurture innovation and create pathways for young Liberians to thrive,” Matadi said.
He emphasized that micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) remain the backbone of Liberia’s economy, noting that investments in their growth are essential to driving productivity, attracting investment, generating employment and supporting the country’s long-term economic transformation.
For Luther Jeke, Chief Executive Officer of iCampus Liberia, LiYEPA represents a bold step toward building a more inclusive and innovative Liberia.
We focused on three core thematic areas: technology, entrepreneurship and inclusion. The objective is to encourage locally relevant innovation, strengthen businesses and ensure that women, young people and persons with disabilities have access to opportunities within the country’s innovation ecosystem.
The programme places a strong emphasis on inclusion, with a target of ensuring that at least 40 percent of participating enterprises are women-led.
Priority consideration will also be given to youth-led businesses, climate-smart enterprises and ventures operating in agriculture, renewable energy, the circular economy and digital services.
Turning Innovation into Opportunity
At the heart of LiYEPA are two flagship interventions designed to accelerate entrepreneurship and job creation and build an inclusive innovation ecosystem:
The UniPod Prototype and Product Development Programme (PPDP) will support innovators in transforming concepts into market-ready products and minimum viable prototypes.
The Results-Based Grants Facility for SMEs will provide performance-based financing to promising Liberian businesses that demonstrate growth potential and commitment to creating jobs.
Under the pilot phase, five high-performing small and medium-sized enterprises will receive grants of up to US$8,000 each, unlocked through the achievement of agreed business milestones.
Beyond financing, participants will benefit from:
- Entrepreneurship training
- Technical mentorship and coaching
- Business advisory services
- Product and prototype development support
- Access to fabrication and innovation facilities
- Investor engagement opportunities
- Networking and incubation services
- Increased visibility and market access
More Than Grants—A Movement for Growth
Since 2021, UNDP-supported entrepreneurship initiatives have mobilized more than US$2.3 million in grant financing, supporting approximately 132 Liberian businesses across all 15 counties.
LiYEPA builds on that foundation with ambitions to:
- Support 100–120 young innovators and entrepreneurs
- Develop 10 market-ready prototypes
- Finance five high-growth SMEs
- Facilitate 20 market off-take agreements
- Connect 15 businesses to investment and incubation opportunities
- Create or sustain 100–200 jobs
The initiative directly supports Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty reduction, gender equality, decent work, innovation and partnerships.
A Call to Liberia’s Influencers: Help Amplify the Opportunity
LiYEPA is calling on digital creators, media personalities, youth advocates, entrepreneurs, community leaders and social media influencers to help spread the word and ensure that every eligible young Liberian entrepreneur has the opportunity to participate.
Every share, post, video, podcast conversation and community discussion can help connect an aspiring entrepreneur with life-changing support.
Together, we can inspire a new generation of innovators to build solutions, create jobs and contribute to Liberia’s economic transformation.
Applications Now Open
Applications for the LiYEPA Results-Based Grants Facility are now officially open.
Eligible Liberian SMEs must:
- Be legally registered in Liberia
- Have operated for a minimum of six months
- Have generated at least US$1,000 in revenue within the past six months
- Demonstrate potential for growth, employment creation and measurable impact
For application details and eligibility information, visit: www.icampus.io
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