Liberia to establish first national packaging centre to support SME competitiveness

LSEZA SME conference in Liberia.

 

Liberia is set to establish its first dedicated packaging facility under the Liberia Special Economic Zones Authority (LSEZA), in a move aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and improving the quality of locally produced goods.

 

 

The facility, to be known as Liberia Packaging Solutions (LPS), will provide access to modern packaging technologies and support services to enhance product presentation, preservation, and compliance with international market standards.

 

 

The initiative was announced by LSEZA Executive Chairman Prince Wreh during a one-day SME conference, where he identified limited packaging capability as a key constraint affecting the ability of Liberian businesses to compete effectively in both domestic and export markets.

 

 

To support the project, approximately US$675,000 has been allocated under the Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP) for construction, equipment procurement, and initial setup. The centre is expected to operate as a shared industrial platform, allowing SMEs to access packaging infrastructure and expertise that would otherwise be difficult to invest in individually. Management of the facility will be outsourced to experienced operators to ensure operational efficiency and technical capability.

 

 

The development forms part of Liberia’s broader strategy to strengthen its Special Economic Zones ecosystem by providing industrial support services that enable value addition, particularly in sectors such as food processing and consumer goods.

 

 

Stakeholders attending the conference included representatives from the Liberia Standards Authority, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Liberia Business Association, and Liberia Tourism Authority, with discussions highlighting the role of packaging in improving product quality, market access, and overall industrial growth.