Expert Urges Liberia to elevate Infrastructure as Core of National Rebranding

By Aliyu Yusuf 

An infrastructure expert has urged the Liberian government to place infrastructure development at the centre of its national rebranding efforts, saying sustained investment in climate-resilient transport and modern institutions is key to improving the country’s global image and attracting long-term investment.

The call was made by Bola Mudasiru, Deputy National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Highway and Transportation Engineers, during a presentation at the 2026 Liberia Infrastructure Conference held on Wednesday. Mudasiru delivered a paper titled “Climate-Resilient Transportation Infrastructure: Integrating Vulnerability Assessment and Best-Practice Design for Sustainable Urban and Rural Mobility.”

He said Liberia’s reconstruction agenda should deliberately position infrastructure as a symbol of governance capacity, national competence and investment readiness. According to him, climate-resilient transport systems offer the country an opportunity not only to confront the impacts of climate change but also to redefine its development narrative.

Mudasiru proposed that Liberia adopt climate-resilient transportation as the foundation of its rebranding strategy, driven by a high-level Presidential Infrastructure Council to deliver world-class transport corridors that could serve as visible proof of effective leadership to regional and global partners.

He also called for innovative financing to support reconstruction, urging the government to mobilise resources through strategic partnerships and the launch of a “Liberia Infrastructure Reconstruction Bond.” The bond, he said, should target diaspora and impact investors, backed by sovereign guarantees and enhanced by climate finance incentives.

Beyond physical projects, the expert stressed the need to build national technical capacity as a long-term asset. He recommended transforming the Ministry of Public Works into a centre of excellence by modernising institutions, training at least 200 young engineers in climate-informed design, and establishing an internationally accredited National Infrastructure Laboratory aligned with global standards such as ASTM, AASHTO and British Standards.

Such measures, he noted, would improve quality assurance, reduce reliance on foreign expertise and strengthen Liberia’s sovereign technical capacity.

Mudasiru further urged the government to move quickly from policy to action by operationalising what he described as resilient reconstruction. He proposed the launch of a flagship “Liberia Climate-Resilient Corridor Programme” by the third quarter of 2026 as a proof-of-concept project.

The initiative, he explained, would demonstrate integrated vulnerability assessments, upgraded design standards, performance-based contracting and structured community engagement, while providing a replicable model for nationwide reconstruction that reflects national pride, quality and resilience.

He described climate change as both an existential threat and a transformative opportunity for Liberia’s transportation infrastructure, adding that the technical frameworks and best-practice standards presented at the conference offer a clear roadmap for reform.

According to him, a phased implementation strategy spanning 2026 to 2040, supported by strategic investments and innovative financing mechanisms, provides a realistic path from current vulnerabilities to regional leadership in climate-adapted infrastructure.

“Success will require progress on multiple fronts at the same time,” he said, noting that policy reform, technical capacity development, financing innovation and institutional modernisation must advance together to turn climate resilience from an aspiration into an operational reality with measurable development outcomes.

Mudasiru said the journey toward sustainable and inclusive mobility begins with a firm commitment to rebuild Liberia in a way that anticipates climate risks while serving all communities equitably.

He commended President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for providing the platform for the conference, describing his leadership as one that continues to distinguish Liberia on the African continent. He also acknowledged the Minister of Public Works, Roland Lafayette Giddings, for his role in ensuring the success of the programme.