LIMEC 2026
Liberia International Mining & Energy Conference
Transforming Liberia's Economy: Driving Development Through Sustainable Mining & Energy Investments
Connecting Liberia's Resource Future
Monrovia, Liberia
The inaugural Liberia International Mining & Energy Conference and Exhibition (LIMEC 2026) took place at the Farmington Hotel from 28–29 October 2026. The opening ceremony was graced by His Excellency, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., underscoring the significance of LIMEC to Liberia’s national development agenda.
Organised by AME Trade Ltd in partnership with the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Liberia Chamber of Mines, the event was held under the theme “Powering Prosperity: Sustainable Mining and Energy as Catalysts for Liberia’s Economic Transformation.” LIMEC 2026 convened a high-level audience of 420 delegates from 22 countries, with 63 speakers, 25 sponsors and 40 exhibitors taking part. Through a dynamic exhibition and insightful discussions, it established itself as a key platform for collaboration, investment and sustainable growth within Liberia’s mining and energy sectors.
The presence of His Excellency, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., at the opening ceremony was a powerful endorsement of the event’s strategic importance to Liberia’s economic future. His participation highlighted Liberia’s growing standing as a competitive destination for mining and energy investment in West Africa. It also signalled strong government commitment to creating an enabling environment for responsible investment and long-term sector growth.
LIMEC was conceived as more than a forum for discussion. We believe it served as a platform for practical action, investment partnerships, and projects that generate measurable economic benefits. Its aim is cooperation that translates into investment, job creation, business development, skills transfer, and lasting national value. By bringing together government, industry and communities, LIMEC seeks to drive inclusive growth, strengthen local content participation, and support environmental and economic sustainability across Liberia’s mining and energy sectors.
Resource-Rich. Reform-Driven. Investment-Ready
Liberia is home to one of the most resource-rich environments in West Africa. With abundant deposits of iron ore, gold, diamonds, and a newly confirmed suite of critical minerals including lithium, cobalt, manganese, neodymium, and uranium, the country is entering a new era of economic transformation.
Key Economic Indicators
- GDP growth projected at 5.8% in 2025
- $3 billion in new investment expected
- Poverty rate forecast to fall to 27.8%
- Inflation targeted at 6% by end-2025
- New Mining Code in fast-track development
- 10–25% free-carried state equity introduced
- Iron ore (world-class reserves)
- Gold (industrial & artisanal production)
- Diamonds (Kimberley Process certified)
- Lithium & cobalt (critical minerals)
- Manganese & neodymium
- Uranium (studies concluded)
Sponsors
Current & Pipeline Mining Projects
Iron Ore — The Engine of Growth
Iron ore remains the anchor sector of Liberian mining, with cumulative investment of more than US$3.5 billion representing the largest foreign direct investment in Liberia’s post-war history. A state-of-the-art 20 Mt/year concentrator was inaugurated in June 2025, and shipments are projected to reach 20 Mt in 2026. A new Mineral Development Agreement extends the principal concession to 2050.
Additional iron ore producers are expected to come on stream in 2026, potentially pushing total national output to between 25 and 30 million tonnes per year.
The Cross-Border Rail & Mining Corridor
A landmark transnational initiative is developing an iron ore corridor connecting Guinea’s Nimba mountains to Liberia’s Port of Buchanan via a rehabilitated 243-kilometre heavy rail line. Phase 1 construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, creating approximately 2,000 jobs at peak.
Gold — Rising Production
Gold output is set to rise with the ramp-up of the Dugbe gold project — spanning approximately 1,410 km² with a resource estimate of 3.3 million ounces. A revised feasibility study is under way with a planned 2026 construction start.
Critical Minerals — The Next Frontier
Studies funded by China and concluded in 2025 have confirmed significant deposits of lithium, cobalt, manganese, neodymium, and uranium across Liberia. $3 billion in investment is projected from these discoveries alone, positioning Liberia at the forefront of the battery and technology supply chain.
Artisanal & Small-Scale Mining (ASGM)
Diamond mining through alluvial and artisanal methods is widespread, with Kimberley Process Origin Certificates enabling legal export. A landmark $32 million programme from GEF and AfDB is underway to reduce mercury use in artisanal gold mining.
Building a Sustainable Future
Liberia’s energy sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation. The Government has set an ambitious target of achieving at least 75% renewable energy in the national generation mix, supported by a National Energy Compact and major infrastructure projects.
Current & Recently Commissioned Projects
| Project | Details |
|---|---|
| Mount Coffee HPP | 88 MW of renewable capacity — fully rehabilitated and expanded with US$202 million in MCC support |
| LEEAP | EU-funded initiative (EUR 107 million) connecting 39,792 new customers |
| Transmission Line | 45km double-circuit 66kV line from Paynesville to Roberts International Airport |
| Solar PV + Battery | Hybrid systems installed at 39 health facilities across rural Liberia |
| CLSG Interconnector | Regional power trade link connecting Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea |
Pipeline & Upcoming Projects
| Project | Details |
|---|---|
| 20 MW Solar (Mt Coffee) | First phase commissioning planned; first utility-scale solar IPP procurement initiated |
| Saint Paul 2 HPP | Feasibility study underway — tapping the river’s estimated 800 MW total potential |
| LESSAP Phase 2 | World Bank ($33 million): grid expansion, off-grid solar, private mini-grids |
| National Electrification Strategy | Accelerating 172 MW of renewables, total capacity to reach 266 MW |
| Solar IPP Programme | Competitive procurement for independent power producers |
| National Power Master Plan | Comprehensive least-cost plan to be finalised by June 2026 |
Investment Opportunities & Regulatory Framework
- Utility-scale solar IPP development
- Mini-grid development in rural counties
- Transmission & distribution infrastructure
- Off-grid solar home system distribution
- Energy storage / battery systems
- Power sector O&M and technical services
- National Energy Policy under revision (2025)
- Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission established
- Cost-reflective tariff adjustments underway
- Solar IPP procurement framework launched
- Rural & Renewable Energy Agency active
- MCC Energy Compact defining sector targets
