Published: September 4, 2025
DAKAR, Senegal – Liberia has launched an ambitious $900 million Legacy Investment Program at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum) 2025.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, September 2, during the annual Forum held in Dakar, Senegal, where more than 6,000 delegates from 113 countries, including policymakers, private investors, farmers, youth innovators, and development partners, gathered under the theme: “Africa’s Youth: Leading Collaboration, Innovation, and Implementation of Agri-Food Systems Transformation.”
Presenting the program, Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah described the initiative as a key part of Liberia’s agricultural transformation and long-term development plan.
“The Legacy Investment Program focuses on increasing productivity by providing the right inputs, infrastructure, technology, and services across agricultural value chains,” Minister Nuetah said.
The program concentrates on five strategic crops-rice, maize, coffee, cassava, and oil palm—with specific production goals aimed at reducing import dependence, reviving exports, and creating thousands of rural jobs.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the plan includes cultivating 50,000 hectares of rice to achieve self-sufficiency, 20,000 hectares of maize for food and livestock feed, and 15,000 hectares of coffee to restore Liberia’s presence in global export markets. Additionally, 20,000 hectares of cassava will be developed to support food security and agro-processing, while 18,000 hectares of oil palm will be planted to boost edible oil supply and foreign exchange earnings.
Strong International Support
The unveiling in Dakar has already attracted international interest, with high-level delegations from Germany and Ireland, as well as global development partners including AGRA and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, endorsing Liberia’s strategy.
Ireland, in particular, reaffirmed its long-standing partnership with Liberia in supporting nutrition-sensitive agriculture, women’s empowerment, and climate-smart practices.
Minister Nuetah emphasized that the government is working to create a favorable investment climate to attract private agribusiness players.
“Liberia offers an enabling environment for agribusiness investment, with strong incentives and a dual currency regime that attracts private investors,” he said. “This $900 million plan is more than a national strategy; it is a roadmap for partnerships that can deliver prosperity across Africa’s food systems.”
National Development Goals
The Legacy Investment Program is also aligned with Liberia’s 2030 vision of reaching lower-middle-income status, reducing unemployment, and improving living standards. The Ministry projects that the plan will help increase GDP per capita from $866 in 2024 to $1,115 by 2030.
The program aims not only to boost food production but also to transform rural communities by expanding market access, improving nutrition, and promoting inclusive economic participation.
“The Legacy Program at the Africa Food Systems Forum aims to turn a country’s food system priorities into practical, investment-ready projects that can be funded and implemented over several years for lasting impact,” the Ministry stated in its release. “These programs help countries accelerate progress by working with partners to develop resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agri-food systems.”
Liberia’s Agricultural Challenges
Liberia still heavily depends on imported rice, the country’s staple food, with over two-thirds of consumption covered by imports, often leaving households vulnerable to global price shocks. The Legacy Program’s goal to expand rice cultivation to 50,000 hectares is expected to decrease this dependency, save foreign exchange, and stabilize domestic markets.
The initiative also seeks to diversify production beyond rice. By promoting increased maize, cassava, and oil palm output, the Ministry hopes to support food processing industries and improve livelihoods in rural counties where agriculture remains the main source of income.
The success of the program will rely on the country’s ability to mobilize financing, strengthen extension services, and address infrastructure gaps such as farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, and storage facilities.
Regional Impact
Liberia’s announcement comes at a time when West African nations are dealing with climate shocks, rising food import costs, and increasing youth unemployment. The AFS Forum has become a key platform for African countries to unveil transformative agricultural strategies, attracting close attention from donor agencies and private investors.
For Liberia, the $900 million Legacy Investment Program represents a significant shift, both in attracting global financing and signaling political commitment to prioritizing food systems.
Minister Nuetah reassured partners that the government is dedicated to working closely with the private sector, donors, and smallholder farmers to ensure sustainability.
“This is not just about Liberia,” he emphasized. “It is about Africa’s shared vision for food sovereignty, economic empowerment, and resilience.”
The Africa Food Systems Forum runs from August 31 to September 5, 2025, in Dakar, Senegal.
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