MONROVIA, Liberia — Ivanhoe Atlantic has thrown its support behind the Liberian Government’s plan to establish an independent National Railway Authority, arguing that the proposed institution could expand railway operations, attract new investors, and generate employment opportunities across the country.
The company’s position was outlined by its Global Director of Corporate Affairs, Brent Fleeton, following a national validation workshop on the draft legislation establishing the Liberia National Railway Authority, held in Monrovia on November 4, 2026.
Fleeton welcomed the consultation process, crediting the Law Reform Commission and Liaison Office for seeking input from relevant stakeholders and technical experts before advancing the proposed legislation.
He stressed that the future of Liberia’s railway infrastructure should not be determined by the interests of a single operator, but through regulations that guarantee equal, transparent, and fair access to multiple users.
According to Fleeton, Ivanhoe Atlantic is among several prospective companies that could depend on the country’s railway network, making independent oversight essential to ensuring that the infrastructure serves broader national interests.
He said the government’s willingness to engage different stakeholders was encouraging, particularly its effort to consider technical advice beyond the views of existing railway operators.
“It’s good that they are listening, they are getting expert opinion. Not just the opinion of one existing user,” Fleeton stated.
He further argued that placing the railway system under an independent national institution would provide a stronger foundation for expanding its commercial use and attracting additional economic activities.
Fleeton pointed to the potential benefits of making unused railway capacity available to other businesses, noting that increased operations could stimulate demand for workers and create opportunities across different sectors.
“The new system managed by the NRA will open up the excess capacity, and in doing so, it will open up more jobs,” he emphasized.
The proposed legislation comes as Liberia seeks to establish a clearer institutional arrangement for managing and regulating its railway infrastructure, including access rights, operational standards, and the interests of multiple users.
Once established, the National Railway Authority is expected to provide independent supervision of railway operations while promoting transparent access and more effective use of existing infrastructure.
Ivanhoe Atlantic views the proposed authority as an important development for the country’s investment climate, particularly as efforts continue to translate major infrastructure investments into broader economic gains.
The company maintains that a railway system accessible to multiple operators, supported by independent regulation, could help attract investment, increase commercial activity, create employment, and strengthen Liberia’s long-term economic prospects.
