Published: September 3, 2025
ONROVIA — The Director General of the Liberia Standards Authority (LiSA), Stephen Mambu, has unveiled a sweeping five-year strategic plan designed to transform the agency into a national standardization powerhouse capable of meeting Liberia’s industrial, commercial and consumer needs while driving socio-economic growth.
Speaking Monday during an internal awareness session at the agency’s headquarters, Mambu said the plan is intended to position LiSA as a competent institution that delivers sustainable conformity assessment services, enhances trade, protects consumers and boosts the competitiveness of Liberian industries.
“By 2029, LiSA will be a fully established and highly capable institution,” Mambu said. “This strategic plan will not only strengthen our institutional capacity but also help Liberia meet international quality standards, improve trade competitiveness and create opportunities for economic growth.”
Institutional Direction and Governance
The first pillar of the plan focuses on aligning LiSA’s operations with the Standards Act, Liberia’s national development agenda and regional and international quality frameworks. Mambu stressed the importance of leadership, accountability and governance reforms to drive growth.
“We will implement systematic organizational reforms with clearly defined structures, policies and governance principles to promote transparency and accountability,” he said.
Infrastructure and Human Capacity
A major component of the strategy is infrastructure development. Mambu said the authority will invest in renovations, new construction and the establishment of modern laboratories and facilities needed for testing, certification and product verification.
Equally critical, he said, is building human capacity. “We will strengthen staff competencies and technical expertise through targeted training and capacity-building programs to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.”
Support for Local Industries
The plan also outlines a National Standardization Program tailored to Liberia’s economic priorities, with a focus on farmers, agribusinesses and small and medium-sized enterprises. It aims to strengthen measurement systems, inspection services, certification and training.
“Our goal is to make Liberian products more competitive both at home and abroad,” Mambu said.
Consumer Protection and Compliance
Consumer safety remains a priority. Mambu said LiSA will introduce tougher compliance and verification programs targeting high-risk imported and locally produced goods.
“We will enhance regulatory systems to safeguard consumers, public health, plant and animal safety, and the environment,” he said.
Expanding Trade and Market Access
To improve Liberia’s standing in global trade, LiSA will strengthen its Technical Barriers to Trade, Sanitary and Phytosanitary, and Codex notification and enquiry systems. These mechanisms, Mambu noted, are critical for engaging international partners and expanding access to high-value markets.
“Expanding market access for Liberian agricultural and food products is central to our growth vision,” he said.
Sustainability and Revenue Generation
The plan also emphasizes financial sustainability. LiSA plans to expand its business operations including certification, inspection, and conformity assessment services while developing new revenue sources to lessen dependence on government funding.
Mambu said the blueprint goes beyond internal reforms, aiming to position Liberia to meet global standards, increase exports and protect citizens from unsafe products.
“This is about building trust—trust in Liberian goods, trust in our systems, and trust that Liberia can compete at the highest level,” he said.
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