MONROVIA, Liberia — Liberia has taken another step toward reforming its railway sector, following the conclusion of a stakeholder validation exercise on the Draft Liberia National Railway Authority (LNRA) Act of 2026.
The exercise brought together representatives of the mining industry, railway operators, government institutions, civil society organizations, environmental groups, legal experts and development partners to review the proposed legislation, which seeks to establish a regulatory framework for multiple users of the country’s railway infrastructure.
The validation meeting was held at the Central Office of the Ministry of Mines and Energy in Monrovia, with discussions focusing on the proposed authority’s institutional structure, administrative responsibilities and regulatory mandate.
Among those participating were representatives of ArcelorMittal Liberia, a current railway operator, Ivanhoe Atlantic (HPX), the Liberia Chamber of Mines and technical officials from the Ministry of Mines and Energy’s Bureau of Mines.
Providing an overview of the process, Ignatius S. Neepaye, Officer-in-Charge of the National Railway Authority, said the proposed 2026 legislation would provide the legal foundation for the institution’s full establishment.
He explained that the draft law is intended to define the authority’s operational and administrative structures while establishing clear regulatory responsibilities, particularly regarding transparent and equitable access to railway facilities by multiple users.
Neepaye urged participants to make meaningful contributions to the document, stressing that the objective was to produce a comprehensive legal instrument suitable for submission to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for onward transmission to the National Legislature.
Meanwhile, Mines and Energy Minister R. Matenokay Tingban welcomed the proposed transition toward a multi-user railway system, describing the development of an effective regulatory framework as important to Liberia’s mining and investment prospects.
Tingban cautioned stakeholders against treating the validation process as a mere formality, emphasizing the need for a strong legal and administrative structure capable of accommodating different railway users while protecting the country’s broader economic interests.
He said a well-regulated railway system could strengthen Liberia’s competitiveness as an investment destination, particularly in the responsible development of its mineral resources.
For his part, Law Reform Commission Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Cllr. Bonor Varmah called for a legal framework that would deliver practical protections rather than simply establish another government institution.
Varmah emphasized that the proposed legislation must safeguard national interests and provide adequate protections for all stakeholders involved in railway operations.
He reaffirmed the commission’s readiness to provide legal guidance and technical assistance as the draft progresses toward enactment.
The LRC chairman also joined the National Railway Authority in making a technical presentation on key provisions of the proposed legislation, helping participants examine its legal and institutional implications.
The presentations were followed by plenary discussions, during which stakeholders reviewed outstanding provisions, sought clarification and reached agreements on proposed amendments to the draft law.
Representatives of the United States Embassy near Monrovia, ArcelorMittal Liberia, Ivanhoe Atlantic and the Ministry of Transport also delivered remarks during the exercise. Transport Minister Ralph Sirleaf Tyler was among the government officials represented at the gathering.
The validation process is expected to help shape the legal framework governing access to and use of Liberia’s railway transportation infrastructure.
Following the exercise, the proposed legislation will undergo additional processing before being submitted to the Office of President Boakai. It is expected to be transformed into a bill and subsequently forwarded to the National Legislature for consideration and possible enactment.
If passed into law, the LNRA Act of 2026 will establish the Liberia National Railway Authority as the institution responsible for regulating multi-user access to the country’s railway infrastructure.
The proposed framework is intended to promote fair access, transparency and accountability while supporting the long-term development of Liberia’s railway sector and the country’s wider economic growth.
