Overview of the Extractive Industries in Liberia

Liberia is rich in natural resources, notably iron ore, diamonds, gold, timber and rubber. All of these sectors suffered dramatically during the civil war, which ended in 2003, but the Government is determined to ensure growth through better revenue management - thus their inclusion of forestry under the EITI. In 2003, forestry represented 57% of total exports and 6% of tax revenue according to the IMF.

Status of EITI Implementation

Liberia was accepted as an EITI candidate country on 27 September 2007.

Liberia has until 9 March 2010 to undertake validation.

Governance of EITI Implementation in Liberia

The Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) is led by a governing board called the LEITI multi-stakeholders Steering Group ("Group"). Membership in the Group includes

1. the Government of Liberia, represented by the Ministers of Finance; the Minister of Lands, Mines, and Energy, The Minister of Internal Affairs, and other agencies;
2. the Civil Society, represented by the Publish What You Pay, the Liberia National Bar Association, and the National Council of Chiefs and Traditional leaders; and
3. the Private Sector, represented by Arcelor Mittal Liberia, Amlib, Liberia Timbers Association, and the Miners and Brokers Association.

The Group is chaired by the Minister of Finance, who is also the LEITI Champion. The Minister of Lands, Mines and Energy is the co-chairperson of the Group.

The LEITI also has a distinct Secretariat that is established, staffed and supported by the Group. The four-person Secretariat is headed by T. Negbalee Warner. The Deputy Head of the Secretariat is Edward R Smith and the Executive Secretary is Hnede Berrian.

LEITI Chairperson

Hon. Antoinette M. Sayeh
LEITI Chairperson
Ministry of Finance
Post Box 10-9013
Monrovia, Liberia
Tel: +231 6 656 707
E-Mail: libfinancemin [at] yahoo [dot] com

LEITI Focal Point

T. Negbalee Warner
Head of Secretariat
Post Box 4074
4th Floor, Ministry of Finance Building
Broad Street
1000 Monrovia 10, Liberia
Tel: +231 6 558 991 / +231 77 558 991
E-Mail: headofsecretarait [at] eitiliberia [dot] org or negbalee [at] yahoo [dot] com

For further information, please contact the Focal Point, or Eddie Rich in the EITI International Secretariat.