The National Investment Commission (NIC), in partnership with Apex Consulting and with support from the World Bank–funded LIFT Project, on Wednesday convened a major Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) focused on Business Environment Reform. The meeting, held at the Bella Casa Hotel in Monrovia, brought together representatives from key government institutions and the private sector to assess challenges and propose solutions aimed at improving Liberia’s business climate.
The forum centered on a detailed review of administrative procedures that affect business operations, with discussions highlighting the need for greater efficiency in licensing, permitting, and compliance processes across Ministries, Agencies, and Commissions (MACs). Participants emphasized that cumbersome procedures continue to impede competitiveness, discourage investment, and slow private sector growth.
Apex Consulting, contracted under the LIFT Project, presented findings from its assessment of fourteen priority administrative processes identified through consultations with private sector stakeholders. The assessment outlined several critical bottlenecks, including institutional gaps and procedural inefficiencies that often lead to delays and increased costs for businesses.
According to the NIC, the overarching goal of the reform initiative is to streamline administrative systems, promote transparency, remove unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles, and foster a more predictable and investor-friendly environment.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate closely with government institutions and private sector actors to ensure that the recommendations emerging from the dialogue translate into concrete reforms. Officials noted that strengthening the business environment remains a crucial pillar of Liberia’s economic transformation agenda.
The PPD marks another step toward building a more efficient regulatory framework that supports sustainable private sector development and long-term economic growth in Liberia.
