The Embassy of the Republic of Liberia near Paris has successfully hosted a high-level strategic meeting aimed at advancing a major hydropower project in Nimba County. The meeting brought together Hon. Kou Meapeh Gono, Superintendent of Nimba County, and Mr. Samuel Zekri, Chief Executive Officer of Hydroneo, a French firm specializing in hydropower development across Africa and Europe.
The diplomatic engagement was facilitated by Liberia’s Ambassador to France, Dr. Teeko Tozay Yorlay, Sr., and focused on plans to construct a 20-megawatt hydroelectric power plant in Kokula, Yekepa, Nimba County.
Mr. Zekri described the project as a major milestone for Liberia’s energy sector, with the potential to generate significant economic impact. According to him, the three-year construction phase is expected to create over 1,000 jobs for Liberians, including skilled roles for engineers, masons, technicians, and ironworkers.
The Kokula site was previously identified during technical consultations involving the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), and Hydroneo. A team from Hydroneo is expected to visit Liberia in the coming weeks to conduct detailed feasibility studies before construction begins.
Superintendent Gono welcomed the initiative, noting that access to electricity remains a critical development challenge across Liberia. She praised Hydroneo’s commitment to Nimba County and highlighted the transformative potential of the project for job creation and local economic growth.
“This project symbolizes hope and progress for our people,” Superintendent Gono said. “We are grateful to Hydroneo for selecting Nimba County, and we pledge our full support to ensure its successful implementation.”
She also lauded Ambassador Yorlay and his diplomatic team for their proactive efforts in rebranding the Liberian Foreign Service and attracting strategic investments into the country
Ambassador Yorlay reaffirmed the Embassy’s dedication to promoting partnerships that align with Liberia’s national development goals. He assured Hydroneo of the Embassy’s continued support and emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between Liberia and France in energy and infrastructure development.
“This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to securing impactful investments for Liberia,” said Ambassador Yorlay. “We are proud to serve as a bridge for transformative opportunities that contribute to the nation’s growth and prosperity.”
The project is aligned with Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development and is expected to significantly improve energy access for communities and businesses across Nimba County and beyond.
