Published: April 7, 2026
MONROVIA, Liberia – In a renewed push to transform Liberia’s private sector, Mercy Corps Liberia, in partnership with key stakeholders, is scaling up efforts to equip small business owners and emerging entrepreneurs with critical skills, networks, and resources needed for sustainable growth.
The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to cultivate a vibrant community of more than 10,000 entrepreneurs, fostering innovation, resilience, and long-term business success across the country.
Driving Skills, Innovation and Opportunity
At the core of the program is the creation of a dynamic platform designed to connect entrepreneurs with investors, mentors, and industry experts—addressing long-standing barriers to business development in Liberia.
A recent high-impact event in Monrovia brought together approximately 150 participants, including startup founders, small business owners, investors, and business professionals.
Participants engaged in activities aimed at strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem, including networking with potential investors and partners, gaining practical insights into business growth and innovation, accessing knowledge on market trends and digital transformation, and pitching business ideas for potential funding.
Persistent Challenges for SMEs
Despite their critical role in Liberia’s post-war economic recovery, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly youth-led startups, continue to face major challenges.
A 2020 study by the Business Department at the University of Essex Online identified key factors contributing to business failure in Liberia, including limited entrepreneurial and technical skills, lack of mentorship opportunities, weak management capacity, and inadequate access to financing.
Facilitators
These constraints have left many aspiring entrepreneurs struggling to sustain and scale their businesses.
YEN-L Expands Ecosystem Support
Efforts to bridge these gaps are being reinforced by the Youth Entrepreneur Network – Liberia (YEN-L), which continues to play a central role in building an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
In 2024, YEN-L hosted a landmark Youth Entrepreneurs Conference in Monrovia, connecting entrepreneurs with investors, sponsors, and government officials.
The three-day event featured intensive training in entrepreneurship and business management, certification for participants, and a public business fair showcasing local products and services.
Participants were also integrated into the National Entrepreneur Community, an online platform that provides ongoing mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to professional support systems.
Looking Ahead
As Liberia works to strengthen its economic foundation, initiatives led by Mercy Corps Liberia and its partners are emerging as key drivers of change.
By investing in skills development, mentorship, and collaboration, these programs are not only reducing business failure rates but also positioning a new generation of entrepreneurs to contribute meaningfully to national development.
With sustained support and strategic partnerships, Liberia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is poised for significant growth, offering renewed hope for innovation-driven economic transformation.
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