Boakai bans raw rubber exports, says Liberia must stop giving away its wealth

Published: August 1, 2025

MONROVIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on Friday signed an executive order banning the export of raw rubber from Liberia, declaring it’s time the country stopped giving away its wealth and started building its own rubber industry.

The directive, Executive Order No. 151, places an immediate ban on the export of unprocessed rubber and introduces sweeping fiscal measures aimed at turning Liberia’s rubber sector into a catalyst for local manufacturing, job creation, and economic growth.

“For too long, Liberia has exported its rubber in raw form, forfeiting opportunities for domestic manufacturing, job creation, and increased revenue,” Boakai said at the signing ceremony at the Executive Mansion. “This Executive Order is a turning point. We are laying the groundwork for industrialization, value addition, and long-term economic transformation.”

What the Order Covers

The executive order bans the export of raw rubber products including cup lump, natural latex, bark scrap, and ground scrap as outlined in Schedule A of the order. Only processed products, such as Technically Specified Rubber (TSR), are exempt.

To reinforce compliance and support sector development, the order also introduces a set of financial obligations for exporters:

• A 4% presumptive tax on all rubber exports
• Mandatory contributions to the Rubber Development Fund Incorporated (RDFI)
• A surcharge of US$150 per metric ton of exported rubber

In addition, exporters are required to obtain an Export Permit Declaration (EPD), which will only be granted upon presentation of valid tax clearance and official payment receipts.

A post-export Advance Income Tax is also mandated—4% for small taxpayers and 2% for medium and large taxpayers. Violations, such as falsifying documents or evading fees, will trigger a US$50,000 fine for the first offense, with repeat violations subject to harsher penalties and possible suspension of export privileges.

Enforcement and Oversight

The Ministry of Agriculture will lead enforcement efforts in close collaboration with the Ministries of Finance and Development Planning, Commerce and Industry, the Liberia Revenue Authority, and RDFI. These agencies are expected to issue joint implementation guidelines in the coming days.

A Strategic Policy Pivot

Rubber has been central to Liberia’s economy for over a century, yet the sector has largely operated on an extractive model—exporting raw materials and importing manufactured goods. Boakai’s administration aims to reverse that pattern.

“This is about building a rubber economy that works for Liberians—from the tappers on plantations to the entrepreneurs in factories,” Boakai said. “Extractive trade must give way to value creation.”