Published: April 3, 2026
MONROVIA – Fellows of Naymote Partners for Democratic Development’s Governance and Anti-Corruption (GAF) Program are calling for sweeping reforms to strengthen the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI), warning that weak enforcement, revenue leakages, and limited public awareness continue to undermine transparency in the sector.
The call comes from Cohort 1, Group 2 of the program, which presented a detailed assessment of LEITI on Thursday, April 2, during a special session in Paynesville. The presentation brought together participants, the head of the LEITI Secretariat, and other observers for engagement on the institution’s performance, challenges, and reform opportunities.
Assessment Highlights Governance Gaps, Reform Progress
The group’s research, titled “The Role of the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) in Promoting Transparency in the Extractive Sector,” examined the institution’s legal framework, mandate, achievements and ongoing challenges.
Members of the group include Amelia Faith Lardner (Lead), Margret Weedee Wright, Hasting Cladius Major, Parmeh T. Mallobe and Sinneh Obai Batta II.
Using qualitative analysis of LEITI reports (1st–16th), the LEITI Act of 2009 and other policy and institutional records, the group evaluated LEITI’s impact on revenue accountability, public trust and sectoral governance.
They emphasized that LEITI remains a key governance reform mechanism across mining, forestry, oil and gas, and agriculture sectors.
Persistent Challenges Undermine Transparency Gains
Despite progress, the group identified deep-rooted challenges affecting the initiative’s effectiveness, including weak enforcement, incomplete beneficial ownership disclosure, low public understanding and poor inter-agency coordination.
“Post-war reforms created LEITI, but persistent issues include revenue leakages, weak enforcement, incomplete ownership disclosure, low public understanding and poor inter-agency coordination,” the group noted.
They further highlighted that while major mining companies generally comply with reporting requirements, gaps remain, including delays, incomplete templates and inconsistencies in government data.
Revenue Accountability Improves, But Gaps Remain
The assessment acknowledged improvements in revenue tracking, noting that reconciliation processes have enhanced verification and exposed systemic weaknesses.
The group cited the 14th EITI Report, which recorded approximately US$84 million in revenue for fiscal year 2020/2021, with mining accounting for about 76% of reported earnings.
However, sector-specific challenges persist, particularly in oil and gas and agriculture, where limited production, complex contracts, land disputes and weak benefit-sharing transparency continue to pose risks.
“Under the mining & forestry, we observed complex fiscal regimes, weak monitoring of artisanal mining, illegal logging and concession monitoring gaps,” the group said.
Fellows Call for Stronger Enforcement, Sanctions
Central to the group’s recommendations is the need to strengthen LEITI’s enforcement authority through a clear legal and regulatory framework.
“Strengthen Enforcement Authority by enacting a clear legal and regulatory framework to mandate transparency as a binding governance obligation and strengthen LEITI’s enforcement authority,” the group stated.
They also called for stricter penalties for non-compliance.
“Enhance digital reporting systems by developing an integrated electronic reporting system that facilitates real-time data submission, verification, and public access, thereby improving efficiency, accuracy, and usability.”
Program Background: Grooming Reform Leaders
The assessment forms part of a broader national effort to strengthen governance through youth-driven reforms.
In a bold push to position young professionals at the forefront of Liberia’s governance agenda, Naymote Partners for Democratic Development, in collaboration with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), launched the Governance and Anti-Corruption Fellowship (GAF) Program, a two-year initiative designed to nurture ethical, reform-minded leaders.
The program seeks to strengthen democratic governance, enhance accountability systems and build a new generation of leaders equipped to drive anti-corruption reforms and institutional integrity across Liberia.
It was formally launched Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the Civil Service Agency at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, bringing together fellows from diverse professional backgrounds, senior government officials, civil society leaders, development partners, diplomats, and members of the media.
LEITI, Naymote Laud Fellows’ Work
Responding to the presentation, LEITI Head of Secretariat Jeffery Yates praised the group for its analysis and presentation.
“Whenever you include accurate data in your work, it gives it weight and more relevance, but overall, you people did a great job and congratulations,” Yates said.
However, he encouraged the fellows to deepen their research by incorporating more detailed and disaggregated data on company operations, revenues, and policy decisions.
Naymote Executive Director Eddie D. Jarwolo also commended the group, describing the process as part of a broader learning experience.
“The next group will focus on the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC),” he said. “I want all group members to take notes from this session and work on some of the lapses here for better and more comprehensive work.”
Building Capacity for Accountability
The session formed part of Naymote’s broader effort to strengthen governance literacy and anti-corruption advocacy among young professionals.
It provided participants with deeper insight into LEITI’s operations, achievements and institutional challenges, while creating a platform for practical learning, discussion and knowledge exchange.
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