Monrovia – The Engineering Society of Liberia (ESOL) has announced sweeping reforms aimed at standardizing the profession and ensuring engineering excellence in Liberia. Marking World Engineering Day under the theme “Shaping a Sustainable Future Through Engineering in Liberia,” ESOL President David D. Wounuah underscored the crucial role engineers play in national development and reaffirmed the society’s commitment to raising professional standards.
The celebration comes at a significant moment for ESOL, which was officially legislated into law on August 21, 2023, formally designating it as the governing body for the engineering profession in Liberia. In a further move to strengthen the sector, the society inaugurated a new leadership on February 14, 2025, with a vision to fully implement the ESOL Act of 2023.
One of the most consequential initiatives under the new leadership is the introduction of an engineering licensing regime, a landmark move to bring Liberia’s engineering sector in line with global professional standards. The licensing framework will include professional examinations to assess and certify engineering competence across various disciplines.
Wounuah urged all engineers—both Liberian and foreign nationals practicing in the country—to regularize their status and comply with the new licensing requirements. He warned that by July 2025, practicing engineering in Liberia without a valid license would be deemed illegal. ESOL, he said, will collaborate with the public and private sectors, as well as concessionaires and employers, to enforce this requirement.
“Make no mistake, we have the law on our side and the public interest to protect,” Wounuah emphasized.
The ESOL President highlighted the indispensable role of engineering in Liberia’s sustainable development, from infrastructure and energy to climate resilience and technological innovation. He called on engineers and stakeholders to champion innovation, uphold professional ethics, and work collaboratively to address national challenges.
“As we embrace this responsibility, ESOL is committed to fostering collaborations with government, academia, and industry partners to drive forward engineering excellence, ethical practice, and sustainable solutions,” Wounuah stated.
World Engineering Day, established by UNESCO in 2019, is observed annually on March 4 to recognize the impact of engineering on global challenges and sustainable development. With Liberia taking a firm stance on professional licensing, the country is poised to raise engineering standards and enhance public trust in the sector.
As ESOL leads the charge in shaping a future built on innovation and technical excellence, the message to engineers across the nation is clear—compliance with professional standards is no longer optional, but a necessity for Liberia’s progress.
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