Published: September 25, 2026
MONROVIA — Liberia is moving to strengthen the global competitiveness of locally manufactured goods under a new agreement that will subject products from the country’s Special Economic Zones to enhanced testing, certification and international quality standards before reaching domestic and foreign markets.
By Roseline Gbessagee
The Liberia Standards Authority, or LiSA, and the Liberia Special Economic Zones Authority, or LSEZA, signed a memorandum of understanding Wednesday, Sept. 23, to improve product quality, strengthen regulatory compliance, and expand market opportunities for Liberian-made goods.
In a statement issued Thursday, Sept. 24, the institutions said the agreement establishes a framework through which LiSA will use its metrology, testing and standardization capabilities to protect consumers and strengthen confidence in products manufactured in Liberia.
Under the partnership, LiSA will deploy its technical expertise within the Special Economic Zones to conduct laboratory testing, inspect production environments and manage conformity assessments.
Products that successfully meet the required quality standards will receive the official “LiSA Stamp” certification.
“This authorized stamp serves as a technical passport, certifying that goods produced within the SEZs comply with both domestic regulations and strict international benchmarks,” the statement said.
The institutions said harmonizing production with recognized standards could reduce technical barriers to trade and help Liberian manufacturers and agricultural exporters compete more effectively in regional markets, including the Economic Community of West African States and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
LiSA Director General Stephen Mambu described cooperation between the two institutions as critical to strengthening Liberia’s national quality infrastructure.
“Enforcing top-tier quality standards is not just about regulation; it is an economic necessity,” Mambu said.
According to him, the agreement will allow LiSA to integrate its quality-control systems directly into Liberia’s emerging manufacturing zones.
“We are ensuring that ‘Made in Liberia’ is universally recognized as a badge of safety, premium quality, and international excellence,” Mambu said.
The partnership is also expected to provide manufacturers with technical guidance earlier in the production process, potentially helping businesses avoid costly product rejections while improving consumer protection at home.
LSEZA Executive Chairman Prince A. Wreh reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to the partnership, arguing that strong quality standards are important to attracting foreign direct investment and advancing the government’s industrial development agenda.
Wreh described the collaboration as historic, saying it represents an important step toward protecting Liberia’s domestic commercial environment while expanding the country’s industrial footprint.
Through the agreement, LiSA and LSEZA say they intend to help local manufacturers meet quality requirements for international markets while ensuring consumers in Liberia have access to safe, properly certified products.
The institutions believe the arrangement could ultimately strengthen confidence in Liberian-made goods and give local businesses a stronger platform to compete beyond the domestic market.
Discussion about this post