Published: January 12, 2026
MONROVIA — The Center for National Documents and Records Agency, widely known as the National Archives of Liberia, has rolled out an ambitious five-year strategic plan designed to modernize the nation’s documentary heritage and elevate the institution’s relevance at home and abroad.
Speaking at the launch ceremony at the agency’s headquarters in Sinkor, Director General D. Nelson Bearngar described the plan as a defining moment in the transformation of the National Archives, signaling a shift toward innovation, accountability and global best practices.
“Since we assumed leadership of the National Archives less than two years ago, we have made consistent progress toward transforming this vital institution for the benefit of Liberia and the global community,” Bearngar said.
A Roadmap for Reform
The strategy, titled Five-Year Strategic Goals, will guide the agency’s work from 2026 to 2030, providing a structured roadmap to strengthen its statutory mandate and improve service delivery. Bearngar said the document represents one of the most significant achievements of the current administration at the Archives, setting out clear priorities aligned with regional and international archival standards.
Central to the plan is a comprehensive modernization drive that focuses on infrastructure improvement, digitization of records, decentralization of services and enhanced customer service. It also prioritizes the collection of oral histories across Liberia’s 15 counties, capacity building for staff, institutional development and the long-term vision of establishing a national library system.
According to Bearngar, the plan is fully costed at US$12.65 million and will be implemented over five years.
Built In-House, Backed by Experience
In a point of pride, the Director General emphasized that the strategy was developed entirely by in-house professionals, without the use of external consultants.
“This plan was developed by our own professionals right here within our compound,” he said, underscoring the growing technical capacity within the agency.
Formally declaring the plan launched, Bearngar called on the Government of Liberia and development partners to provide sustained support to ensure the successful execution of the outlined goals.
Bearngar also highlighted key milestones achieved by the National Archives in 2025, reflecting the institution’s renewed momentum. These include the elevation of Liberia’s membership in the International Council on Archives to Class “A,” participation in the 2025 ICA Congress in Barcelona, Spain, and the establishment of partnerships with visiting academicians from Harvard University aimed at strengthening international exposure and institutional growth.
Other accomplishments range from hosting International Literacy Day and publishing the agency’s Service Delivery Charter to expanding revenue collection through the registration of Certificates of Naturalization and Bills of Divorcement. These measures, he noted, enabled the agency to surpass its projected contribution to the national budget. The Archives also launched in-service training programs, trained government communication officers and more than 600 Liberians from private institutions, and submitted its procurement plan to the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission for approval.
Bearngar described exceeding the agency’s 2025 revenue target as a milestone achievement that reflects improved management and accountability.
Preserving the Past, Preparing for the Future
The five-year strategic plan is expected to significantly strengthen records management and preservation in Liberia, while positioning the National Archives as a critical pillar in governance, accountability and historical documentation.
The launch underscores the agency’s renewed commitment to safeguarding Liberia’s documentary heritage, while embracing modernization, innovation and international best practices to meet the demands of a changing world.
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