Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) Promote informed journalism and public engagement on agricultural and environmental nalists Network (LAEJN)
By LAEJN Editorial Team
Monrovia, Liberia – May 5, 2025 – In a continued effort to foster sustainable and responsible investment in Liberia’s agriculture sector, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations convened a high-level multi-stakeholder dialogue on Monday, May 5, 2025, in Monrovia. The forum focused on reviewing the Liberia Investment and Investor Screening Toolkit—a vital instrument aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and social and environmental safeguards in agricultural investments.
The one-day event brought together members of the Responsible Agricultural Investment (RAI) Multi-Stakeholder Platform, which includes key government ministries and agencies with investment mandates, members of the National Legislature, and civil society organizations. The inclusive dialogue aimed to assess progress made in the application of the screening toolkit, share experiences, identify challenges, and strengthen coordination among stakeholders.
In his opening remarks, Officer-in-Charge of FAO Liberia, Dr. Ibrahim Ahmed Gashash, emphasized the importance of responsible investment as a cornerstone for inclusive agricultural development. “Our shared goal is to ensure that investments in the agriculture sector generate positive outcomes for local communities, protect the environment, and align with Liberia’s national development agenda,” he said.
Dr. Ahmed Gashash reaffirmed FAO’s unwavering commitment to supporting Liberia in strengthening the use and application of the Investment and Investor Screening Toolkit as a key mechanism to promote responsible investment in agriculture and food systems.
“FAO is committed to supporting you in identifying ways to ensure the uptake and full application of the tool. Additionally, we look forward to exploring cooperative strategies that will boost responsible investments aligned with the objectives of Liberia’s National Agricultural Development Plan and the African Agricultural Investment Data (AAID) initiative,” the ECTAD National Programme Lead emphasized
Dr. Ahmed Gashash also lauded members of the RAI Multi-Stakeholder Platform for their continued support and commitment to promoting responsible investment in agriculture and food systems across their respective Ministries, Agencies, and Commissions.
“To recover and build a more resilient food system, responsible investment in agriculture is essential. This requires coordinated action from all stakeholders, including the Legislature and Executive, to shape clear policies and promote investments that avoid harm and generate benefits”, he underscored.
Also speaking at the forum, the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry, Senator Wellington Geevon Smith, described the multi-stakeholder dialogue as a timely and strategic intervention that directly aligns with the Legislature’s oversight responsibilities in the agricultural sector. He emphasized the critical role of lawmakers in ensuring that investments in agriculture not only yield economic benefits but also adhere to social justice principles and environmental sustainability standards.
“This dialogue is essential,” Senator Smith stated. “It reinforces our duty as lawmakers to ensure that agricultural investments are guided by clear, ethical, and legal standards that safeguard the interests of both investors and the Liberian people, particularly rural communities who are often most affected by large-scale land acquisitions.”
He commended the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for convening the platform and fostering a participatory space for reflection, collaboration, and accountability. Senator Smith noted that the Liberia Investment and Investor Screening Toolkit, when effectively implemented, will help bridge the gap between policy intentions and real-life impacts on vulnerable communities.
“Communities affected by large-scale land-based investments deserve to have their rights recognized and protected,” he added. “This toolkit is a step in the right direction—it offers a structured way to evaluate investment proposals and ensures that community voices are heard and respected in the decision-making process,” Rivercess County Senator further emphasized
The Senator further called for increased political will and resource allocation to support the full implementation of the toolkit, including robust monitoring mechanisms and legal enforcement to prevent exploitative practices and promote inclusive development.
The Liberia Investment and Investor Screening Toolkit, developed with support from FAO and partners, serves as a practical guide for evaluating agricultural investment proposals. It ensures that prospective investors comply with national laws, environmental standards, and human rights obligations while contributing to the country’s sustainable development goals.
Participants at the dialogue engaged in frank discussions around the utilization of the toolkit and highlighted both achievements and persisting gaps.
The dialogue significantly boosted awareness and understanding of the Liberia Investment and Investor Screening Toolkit among participants, particularly those who were less familiar with its purpose and application. Legislative actors, many of whom are newly engaged with agricultural investment issues, gained insights into how the toolkit aligns with national and international principles of responsible investment. Local civil society groups—especially those working directly with communities impacted by large-scale land deals—were also better informed about how the toolkit can serve as a mechanism for advocacy, accountability, and rights protection. This enhanced awareness is expected to lead to more inclusive participation in future investment decisions and greater scrutiny of proposed agricultural projects.
Government ministries and agencies with investment oversight responsibilities provided updates on their efforts to integrate the screening toolkit into internal review and approval processes. While progress has been noted, such as the adoption of toolkit checklists during preliminary investment assessments and incorporation into inter-ministerial review meetings, the institutionalization remains partial. Some agencies have begun using the toolkit as a standard reference for investment decisions, but challenges persist. These include inconsistent application across sectors and a need for harmonized procedures to ensure uniformity in its use. Participants acknowledged that while the toolkit is gaining traction, sustained political and administrative commitment is necessary for full operationalization.
The forum also served as a platform to candidly discuss the obstacles hindering effective utilization of the screening toolkit. A recurrent issue was the limited technical capacity among key actors, particularly at the county and local levels, where investment impacts are most directly felt. Many staff lack the specialized training needed to apply the toolkit’s criteria thoroughly and consistently.
Additionally, the absence of dedicated budget lines for activities related to toolkit deployment, such as community consultations, monitoring, and evaluation, was flagged as a major constraint. Participants also pointed to weak inter-agency coordination and inconsistent data sharing as systemic issues that reduce the toolkit’s effectiveness. Without timely and accurate information exchanges, investment decisions risk being fragmented or poorly informed.
Stakeholders agreed on a roadmap aimed at strengthening the uptake and operational use of the screening toolkit. As part of the utilization of the toolkits, training sessions targeting technical staff from government ministries, local authorities, and civil society groups will be prioritized.
Policy harmonization to align sectorial policies—particularly those governing agriculture, land, environment, and investment—with the toolkit’s guidelines. This will ensure consistency in how investment proposals are assessed and approved. These commitments underscore a collective willingness to ensure that agricultural investments in Liberia are not only economically viable but also socially equitable and environmentally sustainable.
The dialogue concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to uphold the principles of responsible agricultural investment and to work collaboratively over the next six months to advance the effective use of the screening toolkit across Liberia.
