MONROVIA – Sylvester Grigsby, Liberia’s powerful Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and a key confidant of President Joseph Boakai, is facing mounting criticism over allegations he lobbied on behalf of a foreign mining company—High Power Exploration (HPX)—in a manner that critics say undermines Liberia’s national interest and economic future.
Sources allege that Grigsby acted as a backchannel for HPX and its subsidiary Ivanhoe Liberia, pushing internally to remove ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) as the operator of the Yekepa-Buchanan railway—a corridor AML has developed and maintained over the last 15 years at a cost of more than $800 million.
Grigsby was allegedly involved in covert meetings with HPX executives, where he reportedly advised the company on how to win favor with President Boakai. He is also accused of misleading the president about HPX’s readiness to legally export Guinean ore through Liberia, falsely claiming the necessary approvals from Guinea had been secured.
“These revelations raise serious questions about government accountability and whether key decisions are being influenced by private actors with no investment or stake in Liberia’s long-term future,” said one government watchdog leader, speaking on condition of anonymity due to fear of political retaliation.
HPX, a Guinean-focused mining startup chaired by billionaire Robert Friedland, is seeking to use Liberian territory to export iron ore from Guinea. Unlike AML, HPX currently has no operational mining activities in Liberia, pays no royalties, and has not contributed to community development initiatives. Yet the company continues to lobby for AML’s removal as rail operator, despite AML’s legal concession agreement and ongoing commitment to shared, multi-user access.
Grigsby’s alleged role in advancing HPX’s interests, particularly in secret and without Cabinet-wide consensus, has fueled outrage among legislators and civil society leaders. Representative Yekeh Kolubah, one of Grigsby’s longtime critics, said in a statement that the accusations “validate everything we’ve warned about regarding backroom deals and foreign influence in our resource management.”
The controversy comes at a critical moment for Liberia’s mining sector. In 2021, AML signed a $800 million expansion agreement with the Government of Liberia under the Weah administration. That deal, which was later elevated to $1.2 billion under the Boakai administration, would generate more than 2,000 direct jobs, enhance Liberia’s infrastructure, and increase economic contributions from the mining sector. But it remains unratified by the Legislature, largely due to persistent interference and lobbying for HPX’s competing rail ambitions.
Despite assurances from AML that it supports an open-access railway under fair and enforceable conditions, HPX has continued to call for an independent rail operator—a move experts say is aimed at bypassing AML’s existing legal rights and infrastructure investments.
Legal experts also warn that removing AML as rail operator before its concession expires in 2030 could expose Liberia to arbitration, potentially costing taxpayers millions in damages. The Boakai administration had previously issued Executive Order No. 136 to set the stage for multi-user rail operations after AML’s legal term concludes, reflecting a policy of lawful transition—not forced eviction.
Grigsby’s alleged actions are especially controversial because of his proximity to the president. A former diplomat and longtime friend of Boakai, Grigsby holds extraordinary influence over executive decisions and has been a central figure in mining-related discussions. His previous controversies—including a 2024 scandal over a $5 million request from NASSCORP for the presidential inauguration and his alleged involvement in the “Yellow Machines” procurement saga—have already drawn scrutiny over his judgment and motives.
“The integrity of our government cannot be compromised by private interests or political favoritism,” said one anti-graft campaigner. “If Liberia is to attract credible investors, we must show that rules, not relationships, guide our governance.”
President Boakai has yet to make a public statement on the allegations against his Minister of State. However, sources within the Executive Mansion suggest the president has moved to reassert control, calling for a comprehensive review of decisions surrounding the AML-HPX rail debate and instructing all relevant ministries to align with due process.
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