KIGALI, Rwanda — Liberia has called for increased investment in agriculture, energy, technology and creative industries, urging African governments and private-sector partners to translate the continent’s economic potential into jobs, stronger businesses and improved living standards.
Dr. Augustine Konneh, senior adviser to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, delivered the call Monday on behalf of Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung at the Innovate Africa Conference 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda.
The two-day conference, held Oct. 12-13 at the Kigali Convention Centre, is being conducted under the theme “Driving the Next Trillion-Dollar Economies: Africa’s Creative, Agricultural, Technology, and Energy Sectors.”
In his keynote address, Konneh said Africa’s economic transformation requires strong institutions, reliable infrastructure, predictable policies and sustainable partnerships that can turn investment opportunities into tangible benefits for citizens.
He said the success of economic development should not be measured solely by the size of national economies but also by its impact on farmers, young graduates, entrepreneurs and families seeking reliable electricity and better public services.
“The question before us is how to turn the continent’s resources and ingenuity into productive enterprises and better living standards,” Konneh said.
He conveyed greetings from Boakai and the Liberian government and thanked Rwandan President Paul Kagame and the people of Rwanda for hosting the conference.
Dr. Konneh identified agriculture as a key driver of food security, rural employment and industrial development, calling for investment across the agricultural value chain.
He said farmers need access to quality inputs, affordable financing, reliable transportation and markets to increase production and improve their incomes.
He also urged investment in storage, processing, packaging and distribution to reduce postharvest losses and ensure African economies retain more value from their agricultural products.
Konneh stressed that agricultural expansion should be accompanied by transparent land arrangements, responsible environmental practices and respect for local communities.
On energy, he described reliable and affordable electricity as essential to industrial growth, health care delivery and the expansion of technology-based businesses.
He called for long-term investment in electricity generation, transmission and distribution, supported by credible regulation, transparent contracts and measures to protect vulnerable consumers.
He also encouraged regional electricity trade and renewable energy development to expand access to underserved communities.
Konneh said technology could improve agricultural marketing, business transactions, education, health care and government service delivery.
However, he noted that African innovators need relevant skills, affordable internet access, investment capital, and opportunities to compete in viable markets.
He also emphasized the importance of cybersecurity and data protection in building public confidence in the digital economy.
The presidential adviser highlighted Africa’s creative industries, including music, film, literature and design, as additional sources of employment, tourism revenue and economic growth.
He called for stronger intellectual property protection, professional training, production facilities and transparent contracts to help African creatives build sustainable businesses.
Konneh said the four sectors are interconnected and require coordinated policies to maximize their economic impact.
Turning to Liberia’s development priorities, he said the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development provides the national framework for 2025-2029, with priorities including agriculture, roads, the rule of law, education, sanitation and tourism.
He said Liberia’s economic transformation depends on connecting agricultural production to processing, improving transportation and energy access, developing workforce skills, and strengthening public confidence in government institutions.
Konneh also cited a reported achievement in domestic revenue mobilization, saying the Liberia Revenue Authority collected more than $1 billion during fiscal year 2026.
He said the achievement must translate into improved public services, infrastructure development and opportunities for private businesses through transparent management of public resources.
Liberia, he added, welcomes investors and development partners interested in agricultural processing, energy, logistics, digital services, tourism and creative enterprises.
“Our message is one of partnership: help us build productive capacity, develop local skills, and connect Liberian enterprises with regional and international markets,” Konneh said.
He further called for stronger implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area to expand markets, strengthen regional value chains, and reduce barriers to cross-border commerce.
Konneh urged African governments to simplify customs procedures, improve transportation links and remove unnecessary administrative obstacles facing businesses.
He also encouraged the African diaspora to contribute expertise, technology, investment and international business connections to support productive ventures on the continent.
Addressing young people, Konneh said their creativity and ideas must be central to Africa’s economic future.
He called on governments, universities, employers and investors to provide the skills and opportunities needed to turn those ideas into sustainable livelihoods.
As the conference continues, Konneh urged participants to pursue measurable outcomes, including clearer financing arrangements, identified investment partners and practical solutions to barriers facing businesses.
He said investments should be assessed not only by the agreements signed or capital deployed but also by their ability to create decent jobs, improve productivity and expand opportunities for women, young people and underserved communities.
Konneh reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to African cooperation and inclusive development, expressing hope that the conference would produce partnerships with lasting economic benefits.