The National Investment Commission (NIC) has clarified details surrounding the procurement and contract award process for the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) Project, emphasizing that all procedures were conducted in line with the requirements of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
In a press release issued Friday, February 20, 2026, the Commission said the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, signed two separate loan agreements with the African Development Bank for the SAPZ Project valued at US$13.54 million. The agreements were signed on December 6, 2021, and December 8, 2023, and later ratified by the National Legislature on June 3, 2022, and April 7, 2023, respectively.
The NIC, which is executing the project, said the overarching goal of the SAPZ initiative is to promote inclusive and sustainable agro-industrial development in Liberia. The project aims to reduce staple food imports, create jobs, and alleviate poverty while positioning the country to attract private sector investment.
As part of its external infrastructure works, the project includes the construction of a 4.27-kilometer access road, a signature gate, site grading, power line transmission, and perimeter fencing of 210 hectares of land at the Buchanan Special Economic Zone site.
Addressing concerns about the contract award, the Commission pointed to Article VI, Section 6.05 of the loan agreement, which mandates the use of the African Development Bank’s procurement methods and procedures for all services and works under the project.
According to the NIC, construction falls under the “works” category and was therefore subject to the Bank’s procurement guidelines. An international competitive bidding process was launched, attracting 25 firms, of which 11 submitted proposals. Five of the bidders were Liberian-owned firms.
A Bid Evaluation Committee, chaired by the Ministry of Public Works, reviewed the submissions. The evaluation report was subsequently submitted to the African Development Bank for its “No Objection,” in keeping with the loan agreement.
Under the Quality and Cost-Based Selection method, HM&A Construction in joint venture with Core Construction Limited was selected as the most responsive bidder, based on the lowest evaluated price.
The African Development Bank issued its No Objection on June 12, 2025, approving the award of the contract to HM&A Construction, a Sierra Leonean firm, and Core Construction Limited, a Ghanaian firm. The contract, valued at US$7,802,746.38, covers the construction of the 4.27-kilometer non-existing access road, perimeter fencing, and gate for the Buchanan SAPZ site.
The Commission clarified that the contract value is US$7.8 million and not US$19.4 million, as had been reported elsewhere.
The NIC said it is working in collaboration with the Grand Bassa County Administration to ensure maximum local participation in the project. The contractor has been encouraged to prioritize locally supplied goods and services and to employ labor from affected communities within the county.
On the issue of resettlement, the Commission stated that the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) has been fully implemented. The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, compensated all project-affected persons.
Seven towns benefited from the RAP payments, which covered affected properties, farms and gardens, sacred sites, and livelihood activities. A total of US$310,566.00 was disbursed under the compensation scheme.
The National Investment Commission concluded by reaffirming its commitment to transparency, noting that it remains open to providing additional details and supporting documents related to the contract award and overall project implementation.
