4 February 2025, Monrovia- The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency, Ambassador Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sir., has announced the major progress made in the land sector of Liberia.
In his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Boakai highlighted that in 2024, the government has issued deeds to 24 land-owning communities, securing almost one million acres benefiting more than 200,000 Liberians.
He added, ” We also imposed a moratorium on public land sales to curb speculative grabs, which will be lifted only after established guidelines. These efforts aim to enhance tenure security, resolve conflicts, and promote sustainable land investment throughout Liberia. We will continue to prioritize this crucial effort”.
Recognizing the many challenges in the land sector, the President pointed out that Liberia faces escalating land conflicts. He mentioned: “Our court systems are overwhelmed with land cases, and headlines highlight disputes between investors and communities, alongside powerful individuals grabbing land from the vulnerable”.
President Boakai asserted that land conflicts in Liberia are rooted in historical grievances, poor governance, and emerging market forces that are increasing pressure on land use. “I assure you that we are taking bold steps toward change, ensuring our people receive justice and, more importantly, providing them with the opportunity to make productive use of land and resources”, he mentioned.
It can be recalled in the period 2014 – 2018, MAP Liberia Land Platform in collaboration with Civil Society Organizations working on land reform in Liberia and the Liberia Land Authority vigorously advocated for the passage of the Land Rights Act. A basic feature of this law is that it grants the majority of Liberians (over 60%) living in rural communities, on customary land owned by their ancestors now enjoy legal protection as compared to other land holdings in Liberia; this helps to address a historical injustice in land ownership in Liberia for over one and half centuries.