…With Strong Call for Investment and Reform
Monrovia, Liberia – The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) recently concluded its observance of International Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day, underscoring Liberia’s renewed commitment to strengthening small businesses as a cornerstone of its economic transformation.
The 2025 event, held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, was organized in partnership with Ecobank Liberia Limited. It brought together key stakeholders, including the Liberia Business Association (LIBA), the Liberia Chamber of Commerce (LCC), and Jeety Trading Corporation (JTC).
Under the theme “Building Resilient MSMEs: Advancing Job Creation, Innovation, and Local Content,” this year’s observance focused on enhancing the viability, resilience, and innovation potential of Liberian-owned MSMEs through policy support, investment, and strategic partnerships.
In a stirring keynote statement, Commerce and Industry Minister Magdalene Ellen Dagoseh praised the steadfast resilience of Liberia’s MSMEs, even in the face of ongoing national and global challenges.
“Whether confronted by economic shocks, public health crises, or logistical and infrastructural limitations, Liberian MSMEs have remained committed to delivering goods, services, and most importantly, hope to the people of Liberia,” Minister Dagoseh remarked.
She described the occasion not only as a celebration but also as a “call to action,” urging both local and international stakeholders to “invest in the ideas of Liberian entrepreneurs, expand their access to finance, equip them with market-relevant skills, and open up opportunities for them to scale both locally and globally.”
Minister Dagoseh also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to driving reforms that enable private-sector development. She emphasized efforts to simplify the business registration process, improve trade logistics, enhance value addition, and promote inclusive access to markets.
“We are building an environment where MSMEs are not just surviving, but thriving,” the Minister stated, highlighting plans to integrate MSMEs more fully into the national economic framework.
Mr. Natty B. Davies, President of the Liberia Chamber of Commerce, echoed the sentiment in his keynote address, calling for enhanced cooperation among the public sector, private enterprises, and civil society to address longstanding challenges that hinder MSME growth.
He noted that Liberian MSMEs still face significant barriers related to access to credit, market infrastructure, and business development services. However, he expressed confidence that with greater alignment between government policy and private-sector needs, local businesses could become competitive contributors to Liberia’s economic expansion.
“When we remove the hurdles, we unlock the power of Liberian entrepreneurship,” Mr. Davies emphasized. “We must also promote networking among MSMEs as a strategic tool to build solidarity and amplify their collective voice.”
The Chamber president praised the Commerce Ministry’s continued engagement with the business community and pledged the Chamber’s full cooperation in promoting private-sector-led development.
Honoring Excellence
A highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of six Liberian-owned MSMEs, honored and certificated for their outstanding contributions and performance. Among them:
- Den-Vera Medical Laboratory & Clinics, with operations in Sinoe and Grand Kru Counties, was commended for expanding rural health services and its innovative community-based medical outreach.
- PAT-BOTO Design, based in Lofa County, received recognition for promoting local craftsmanship through the weaving and production of traditional Liberian country cloth, contributing to both cultural preservation and local job creation.
These honorees, officials noted, represent a diverse cross-section of Liberian entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and social impact.
The 2025 MSMEs Day observance served to amplify the crucial role that micro, small, and medium-sized businesses play in achieving Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event aligns with a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 6, 2017, which designated June 27 as the official International Day for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises. The resolution calls on member states to recognize the contributions of MSMEs to sustainable development, economic diversification, and job creation.
Friday’s program also featured interactive discussions and exhibitions by local entrepreneurs, showcasing Liberian-made products and services. Several booths displayed innovations in agriculture, fashion, food processing, and information technology, demonstrating the diversity and potential of Liberia’s MSME sector.
Speakers from EcoBank Liberia, LIBA, Jeety Trading, and other organizations echoed the need for inclusive financing mechanisms, simplified trade procedures, and the establishment of business incubation hubs to provide mentorship, training, and capital support for emerging enterprises.
In separate interviews, business owners called for more structured follow-up initiatives from government agencies, including consistent access to trade fairs, training, and partnership forums.
“We don’t need handouts, we need infrastructure, finance, and reliable policies,” said Mamie Gbotoe, a soap producer from Montserrado County. “If the government can support us consistently, we’ll create more jobs than they can imagine.”
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced that it is currently finalizing a new National MSMEs Development Framework, which will outline strategies for digital transformation, capacity-building, financing, and legal protections for entrepreneurs. Minister Dagoseh confirmed that the framework will be inclusive of rural-based entrepreneurs and will focus on gender equality, youth entrepreneurship, and green economy principles.
“The future of Liberia’s economy depends on our ability to build resilient MSMEs,” she concluded.
As the country grapples with post-pandemic economic recovery and a shifting global trade landscape, the message from the 2025 MSMEs Day observance was clear: Liberia must double down on its investment in small business as the engine of inclusive growth and national renewal.