Published: March 23, 2026
Monrovia — A three-day training by the Liberia Land Authority (LLA) on real property valuation has spotlighted deeper structural weaknesses in the country’s land administration system, prompting policymakers and experts to call for urgent reforms to improve transparency, revenue generation and public trust.
Held March 21 as part of ongoing land sector reforms, the training brought together valuers within the Authority to strengthen technical and practical skills in property appraisal—an area widely viewed as critical to addressing long-standing inefficiencies.
While officials described the training as a step forward, it also underscored persistent gaps in Liberia’s valuation systems, which have historically lacked consistency and credibility.
Weak property valuation practices, experts say, have contributed to disputes, undervaluation of assets and significant losses in government revenue.
“This training represents a significant step toward developing a more robust, transparent, and reliable property valuation system in Liberia,” the Authority said, emphasizing the need for modern tools and international best practices.
Participants were introduced to updated valuation techniques, including building and land assessment, preparation of standardized reports and the use of digital tools increasingly adopted in advanced systems.
The sessions were led by experts from Tanzania’s Ardhi University—Dr. Sophia Kongela and Dr. Elitruder Makupa—who provided both theoretical and practical insights based on Tanzania’s more developed valuation framework.
Their involvement highlights Liberia’s growing reliance on international expertise to address technical capacity gaps in key sectors such as land administration.
LLA officials stressed that strengthening property valuation systems is essential not only for administrative efficiency but also for ensuring fairness in land transactions and boosting investor confidence.
Accurate valuation, they noted, plays a direct role in improving domestic revenue mobilization and supporting national development.
Speaking at the close of the training, LLA Commissioner for Land Administration Dr. Mahmoud Solomon said improving revenue generation in Liberia will depend heavily on strengthening the land sector through credible valuation systems.
He urged participants to apply the knowledge gained in real-world settings where the impact can be felt.
Also speaking, Sustainable Land Services for Liberia (SLSL) Project Manager Christopher Byren described the exercise as “an eye-opener for the land sector,” warning that sustained efforts will be required to build a functional and reliable system.
The initiative forms part of a broader reform program supported by the Government of Sweden through the Sustainable Land Services for Liberia Project, which aims to strengthen institutional capacity and promote sustainable land management.
Despite the progress made, stakeholders acknowledged that Liberia’s land governance challenges remain significant.
Discussion about this post