MONROVIA, Liberia – Ivanhoe Atlantic has urged the Liberian government to establish an independent and fully empowered National Rail Authority (NRA), arguing that effective oversight of the country’s railway infrastructure is critical to attracting investment and ensuring fair access for multiple operators.
The company’s Global Director of Corporate Affairs, Brent Fleeton, made the call on the sidelines of the Liberia International Mining and Energy Conference and Expo (LIMEC 2026), where he emphasized the importance of placing Liberia’s railway assets, particularly the Yekepa-Buchanan line, under a transparent and independent regulatory framework.
Fleeton said the proposed authority should have the legal mandate and enforcement powers to oversee the country’s rail network and guarantee equitable access for companies seeking to use the infrastructure.
He reaffirmed Ivanhoe Atlantic’s support for President Joseph Boakai’s vision of an open, competitive and independently managed railway system, noting that such a framework would be essential to building investor confidence.
According to him, the Yekepa-Buchanan railway represents a major national asset whose effective management could attract additional users, stimulate private investment and generate long-term economic benefits.
The company’s position comes as it advances plans for its Kon Kweni iron ore project in neighboring Guinea, which depends on transporting high-grade iron ore through Liberia to the Port of Buchanan.
Following legislative ratification of its Concession and Access Agreement (CAA), alongside executive actions toward establishing a permanent National Rail Authority, Ivanhoe Atlantic says independent regulation will be necessary to ensure transparent pricing, reliable scheduling and equal access to shared infrastructure.
Fleeton also outlined the scale of the company’s proposed investment in Liberia’s railway and port systems, describing the commitments as a major opportunity to strengthen the country’s infrastructure and economic prospects.
Under Phase One, Ivanhoe Atlantic estimates that approximately US$64 million will be invested in rehabilitating the existing Yekepa-Buchanan railway and preparing the port facilities for operations.
The second phase is expected to involve an additional US$888 million in direct capital investment, including US$452 million for railway improvements and US$436 million for expansion-related developments at the Port of Buchanan.
Combined, the two phases represent approximately US$952 million in projected infrastructure investment, with the potential to create hundreds of jobs for Liberians and support the development of a multi-user, multi-commodity transportation system.
“With a fully ratified agreement giving us access rights to the Republic’s rail line to Buchanan, we stand ready to invest in the future of Liberia,” Fleeton said.
Discussions at LIMEC 2026 also highlighted the importance of ensuring that the proposed railway regulatory framework covers the Yekepa-Buchanan corridor.
Industry stakeholders have expressed concerns that excluding the existing railway from the authority’s oversight could undermine the government’s ambition to attract additional investors and expand the country’s mining and transportation sectors.
The debate comes at a critical time for Liberia, as the government seeks to position its mineral resources and infrastructure as drivers of economic growth.
LIMEC 2026, held from October 28–29 at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County, brought together government officials, mining executives, energy developers, investors, financial institutions and technical experts to discuss opportunities in Liberia’s extractive and energy industries.
Held under the theme, “Transforming Liberia’s Economy: Driving Development Through Sustainable Mining & Energy Investments,” the conference was jointly organized by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Liberia Chamber of Mines and AME Trade Ltd.
