WB Country Manager Calls For Collaboration Across Gov’t, Private Sector & Development Partners @ 7th National MSME Confab
PHOTO: Madam Georgia Wallen, WB Country Manager
A recent World Bank Liberia Economic Update on jobs shows that “the dominance of micro-firms keeps most of Liberia’s working population in low-wage, low-productive and vulnerable employment.”
World Bank Liberia Country Manager Georgia Wallen made the disclosure at the Seventh National MSME Conference and Trade Fair held on Monday, December 8, 2025 at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in the Congo Town suburb of Monrovia.
She said “young people who have strived hard to attain skills and education are often significantly unemployed” in Liberia.
The report also says that 80% of the private sector are micro-firms who employ between 1-8 employees, as “the private sector in Liberia is currently unable to generate quality jobs needed to offer meaningful wages, stability to workers.”
Last week, the World Bank Group (WBG) in partnership with the Liberian Government, has launched its new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Liberia.
The CPF supports more and better jobs by focusing selectively on four essential outcome areas: education; energy access; accountable and transparent governance; and private investment – with focus on agroindustry and forestry. World Bank Group, Liberia Partner To Build Foundation For More & Better Jobs – News Public Trust
At the launch of the 7th MSME Conference and Trade Fair yesterday, Monday, World Bank Country Manager is calling for “collaboration across government at all levels, the private sector, and development partners.”, in order to build the foundation for more and better jobs.
BELOW IS FULL TEXT OF MADADAM GEORGIA WALLEN’S REMARKS:
World Bank Liberia Country Manager Georgia Wallen’s Remarks at MSME Conference and Trade Fair at Held Today at the EJS Ministerial Complex
Honorable Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Honorable Minister of Commerce and Industry; Honorable Ministers and Members of the Cabinet; officials of the Government of Liberia; distinguished guests; MSME leaders; partners; and private sector colleagues—thank you for the invitation.
On behalf of the World Bank, I would like to recognize His Excellency’s leadership and to congratulate the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for reviving this annual National MSME Conference. This event showcases Liberia’s MSMEs, who serve as bright stars and beacons of hope.
We are pleased to join the Seventh National MSME Conference and Trade Fair this year, underscoring our long-term commitment and the central role MSMEs play in providing jobs and livelihoods for the majority of Liberians.
Over the past two years, I have had the opportunity to interact with MSMEs in several counties and have encountered many inspiring ventures. Many have been led by women and by young people. Behind each venture is a determined entrepreneur contributing to national development, while striving to grow and raise living standards for themself and their employees.
Today’s event is about realizing Liberia’s potential by taking action to address key challenges. Our recent Liberia Economic Update on jobs highlights three realities: (i) Liberia’s private sector is dominated by MSMEs – 90 percent of the private sector are micro-firms who employ between 1-8 employees. (ii) the dominance of micro-firms keeps most of Liberia’s working population in low-wage, low-productive and vulnerable employment and; (iii) young people who have strived hard to attain skills and education are often significantly underemployed. Liberia’s private sector is currently unable to generate the quality jobs needed to offer meaningful wages, stability and to workers.
Tackling these requires collaboration across government at all levels, the private sector, and development partners. This is why our new Country Partnership Framework explicitly aims to build foundations for more and better jobs – including focus on boosting private investment. Together with the government, the World Bank Group is working to help unleash private sector development in Liberia by tackling key barriers. Through the Liberia Investment, Finance and Trade (LIFT) Project, we are helping unlock access to finance, markets, and capabilities for MSMEs by:
- Providing $6.5 million to MSMEs through eight financial institutions—including banks and microfinance institutions;
- Strengthening credit risk assessment and the movable collateral registry so lenders can better appraise and serve MSMEs;
- Investing over $3.5 million in training and technical assistance to help MSMEs become investment-ready and scale;
Supporting reforms in three areas—business entry, investment, and trade—to simplify formalization and business registration, ease cross-border trade, and attract investment that integrates Liberian MSMEs through a supplier development portal.
Women and youth-led businesses face their own unique challenges. Through the Liberia Women Empowerment Project and the REALISE Project, we are expanding tailored training, mentoring, and financing—so micro and small enterprises led by women and youth can see and seize a pathway to growth.
Today’s discussions are a vital step in ensuring Liberia’s MSMEs are equipped to overcome challenges and seize opportunities. It is an excellent opportunity to align on a concise action list for the next 12 months, so when we gather again next year we can point to the tangible strides and reforms to boost our MSMEs and put Made-in-Liberia products on the map.
A closing word to Liberia’s MSMEs – to Liberia’s bright stars and beacons of hope. World-class enterprises are Liberia’s future; as Honorable Minister said, “Believe in Liberia’s greatness!” Keep daring, keep learning, and keep focused. I am delighted to see Mahmoud Johnson, CEO of J‑Palm, as keynote speaker. J‑Palm exemplifies what is possible. As he reaches for higher heights, let us be inspired by what has been achieved—and celebrate the success.
Thank you again for the opportunity to join you this morning!