Published: March 20, 2026
Monrovia – In a significant step toward strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the Liberia Special Economic Zones Authority (LSEZA) has announced plans to establish the country’s first-ever Packaging Solutions Center, a move aimed at addressing one of the most persistent challenges confronting local businesses—product packaging.
The proposed facility, to be known as Liberia Packaging Solutions (LPS), is expected to provide modern packaging services that will enhance the presentation, preservation, and overall marketability of Liberian-made products. The initiative forms part of the Authority’s broader strategy to create an enabling environment where SMEs can grow, compete, and expand beyond local markets.
Speaking recently at a one-day SME conference held in Monrovia under the theme “Unlocking Growth: Leveraging Special Economic Zones for SMEs Success,” LSEZA Executive Chairman Prince Wreh emphasized that the project is a direct response to longstanding concerns raised by entrepreneurs. “After years of hearing from SMEs about their challenges, one issue kept coming up—packaging,” Wreh said. “That is why we decided to explore the possibility of establishing a Liberia Packaging Solutions Center.”
According to Wreh, many Liberian businesses produce high-quality goods but are unable to compete effectively due to inadequate packaging infrastructure. This limitation often forces entrepreneurs to seek packaging services abroad, particularly in countries such as China, India, and Nigeria—an option that significantly increases production costs and reduces competitiveness. “We want to ensure that Liberian businesses are not running between China, India, and Nigeria just for packaging,” he added. “We want that service available here at home.”
To bring the project to fruition, approximately US$672,000 has been earmarked under Liberia’s Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP) in the 2026 national budget. The funding will support the construction of the facility as well as the procurement of modern packaging equipment. LSEZA also disclosed plans to outsource the management of the center to ensure efficiency and professional service delivery.
The conference drew participation from a cross-section of government institutions and private sector stakeholders, including the Liberia Standards Authority, Liberia Tourism Authority, Liberia Business Association, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Industry leaders at the event highlighted the central role SMEs play in driving Liberia’s economy, stressing that targeted investments in infrastructure and services are essential to unlocking their full potential.
Director General of the Liberia National Tourism Authority, Jane Cooper, underscored the broader economic implications of the initiative. She noted that sectors such as tourism and hospitality stand to benefit from improved packaging and branding, which are critical for attracting both domestic and international consumers.
“While economic development discussions often focus on large-scale investments and infrastructure projects, SMEs remain important drivers of economic activity,” Cooper said. She pointed to Liberia’s beaches, cultural heritage, and hospitality potential as underutilized assets that could be better marketed with improved supporting infrastructure.
The planned Packaging Solutions Center has been viewed as a strategic intervention that could transform Liberia’s SME landscape. By reducing reliance on foreign packaging services and lowering production costs, the facility is expected to improve the competitiveness of locally produced goods in both domestic and export markets.
The initiative also aligns with LSEZA’s broader mandate to leverage Special Economic Zones as engines of economic growth. By providing critical support services such as packaging, the Authority is positioning SMEs to take full advantage of emerging opportunities within these zones. If successfully implemented, the Liberia Packaging Solutions Center could mark a turning point for small businesses across the country—offering not just a service, but a pathway to growth, innovation, and global market access.
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