A high-level delegation from Liberia has wrapped up its regional trade and logistics tour with a final stop at the Africa Global Logistics (AGL) office in Freetown. The visit marked the culmination of a week-long engagement aimed at strengthening economic partnerships and enhancing port operations between Liberia and its neighbors, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
Jonathan L. Kaipe, Liberia’s Port Director, described the tour as an important feasibility assessment, evaluating capacity, operations, and potential interventions in the sector.
Kaipe highlighted AGL’s sub-regional expertise in logistics, particularly its connections and operations in Sierra Leone and Guinea, which he believes could serve as a model for Liberia’s future port development.
“So this is basically an assessment tour. We’ve been to Guinea, Conakry, and now Freetown, and we’ve been able to review seaport operations, terminals, marine equipment, and human capacity development,” he stated.
Kaipe praised Sierra Leone’s commitment to local workforce development, noting that AGL employs more than 350 Sierra Leoneans, reflecting a strong sense of ownership in the sector.
Liberia Eyes Port Autonomy
Austin Taylor, Chair of Port and Maritime Affairs in the Liberian House of Representatives, emphasized that the visit was part of Liberia’s efforts to autonomize its ports, particularly the Port of Buchanan, which AGL is interested in operating.
Taylor expressed admiration for AGL’s operations in Sierra Leone, noting its economic impact, employment generation, and skill development. He underscored Liberia’s intent to learn from Sierra Leone’s successful port management strategies and replicate them for mutual prosperity.
“We want to ensure that our port management fosters economic growth and sustainability, and Sierra Leone provides valuable insights into how we can achieve that,” Taylor explained.
Political Support for Infrastructure Expansion
Magdalen Cooper, Senior Political Advisor to the President of Liberia, reaffirmed the delegation’s commitment to assessing AGL’s investments in Sierra Leone.
She expressed excitement about the potential partnership between Liberia and AGL, stating that she would report her findings to President Joseph Boakai and advocate for closer trade and logistics collaboration.
AGL’s Vision for Regional Growth
Captain Fabjanko Kokan, Regional Director for AGL in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia, acknowledged the delegation’s recent visit to Guinea and emphasized the company’s goal of enhancing regional partnerships.
“In life, everything is possible with goodwill, cooperation, partnership, understanding, and tolerance. Whether through collaboration or shared expertise, we are committed to strengthening logistics and infrastructure across the region,” he stated.
The visit highlights growing trade ties and regional interest in strengthening port efficiency, with stakeholders optimistic that enhanced collaboration will boost economic opportunities and logistics networks across West Africa.