Electricity consumers across Liberia will begin paying lower power rates starting January 1, 2026, following the approval of a new three-year tariff regime by the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC), a move aimed at easing costs for households while strengthening the long-term sustainability of the power sector.
Announcing the decision in Monrovia, LERC Board Chairman Claude J. Katta said the revised tariffs will run from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028, and were developed after extensive nationwide consultations and detailed technical reviews designed to balance affordability with the financial viability of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC).
Under the new tariff structure, social tariff customers-those consuming 25 kilowatt-hours or less per month-will now pay 13 US cents per kilowatt-hour, down from 15 cents.
Residential prepaid and postpaid customers will see their rates reduced from 24 cents to 22 cents per kilowatt-hour.
In addition, fixed monthly charges for both residential and commercial customers have been reduced by 15.2 percent, a measure expected to ease the financial burden on households and businesses.
“This tariff decision ensures that only prudent and efficient costs are passed on to consumers, while enabling LEC to recover costs, improve service delivery, and invest in critical infrastructure,” Katta said.
He disclosed that the approved tariffs followed six public hearings held between October and November 2025 in Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Margibi, Rivercess and Grand Bassa counties, as well as Monrovia. The hearings attracted more than 1,000 participants, including electricity consumers, students, civil society organizations, and business representatives. The commission also reviewed over 100 written submissions.
While most customer categories benefited from reduced rates, Katta noted that medium-voltage customers supplied at 22kV and 33kV will experience a slight increase in energy charges, from 19 cents to 20 cents per kilowatt-hour, reflecting the cost of higher-capacity supply.
However, their fixed monthly charge has been reduced from US$50 to US$42.40.
LERC also approved new electricity connection fees, setting single-phase connections at US$70 and three-phase connections at US$340. Exemptions will apply in communities where donor-funded projects have already covered connection costs.
Speaking on behalf of LEC, Deputy Managing Director for Operations Thomas Z. Gonkerwon welcomed the decision, describing the new tariff as “fair, realistic, and forward-looking.”
He said the structure would support Liberia’s drive toward industrialization and broader economic growth.
Gonkerwon disclosed that LEC is moving toward full digitization, including the installation of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems to enable real-time monitoring and improve data transparency across the network.
He also issued a stern warning against electricity theft, announcing a zero-tolerance policy supported by advanced digital metering technology capable of detecting tampering and illegal connections.
Representatives of the Ministry of Mines and Energy also welcomed the new tariff regime, describing it as cost-effective and a significant step toward expanding access to reliable electricity nationwide.
The approved tariffs will remain in force unless reviewed under LERC’s multi-year tariff methodology. A detailed tariff decision report is expected to be published on December 19, 2025.
For millions of Liberians, the new tariff regime signals not only cheaper electricity, but renewed optimism that reliable power can drive job creation, economic growth, and national development.
