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Monrovia, Liberia -Bishop Dr. Robert S. M. Bimba, Chief Executive Officer of the Community of Hope Agriculture Project (CHAP) and President of the Association of Evangelicals of Liberia (AEL), has engaged Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto as part of efforts to explore new agricultural investment opportunities, strengthen private-sector partnerships, and promote Liberia’s locally produced agricultural commodities on the international market.
The engagement took place on the sidelines of the Changemakers Industrialization Summit 2026, during activities hosted by the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), which held its 6th Presidential Round Table at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Presidential Round Table brought together senior government officials, business executives, investors, and private-sector stakeholders to examine critical challenges affecting industrialization, business expansion, and investment across Kenya.
Discussions centered on government policies, energy, taxation, industrial development, and other factors influencing the business environment. The event also featured an exhibition of locally manufactured Kenyan products, highlighting the country’s growing industrial capacity and commitment to domestic production.
Promoting Liberian Rice on the International Stage
During the high-level engagement, Bishop Bimba showcased “I Love Liberian Rice,” an initiative promoting locally produced rice and encouraging greater investment in Liberia’s domestic agricultural sector.
His participation provided an opportunity to highlight Liberia’s agricultural potential, promote homegrown entrepreneurship, and explore possibilities for expanding the market for Liberian agricultural products beyond the country’s borders.
Bimba said the engagement opened discussions on potential cross-border investments and partnerships that could support agricultural production, agro-processing, and value addition in Liberia.
Among the opportunities being explored is the possible expansion of the I Love Liberian Rice initiative through collaboration with the Green Africa Group of Companies (GAGC), headed by Dr. Green.
The CHAP CEO believes such partnerships could help connect Liberian agricultural enterprises with regional investors, technical expertise, and emerging markets, while creating new economic opportunities for farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs.
Exploring Green Africa Village Investment Opportunities
Bishop Bimba also highlighted the proposed Green Africa Village initiative, which he said presents potential opportunities for Liberia to attract private-sector investment in agriculture and related industries.
According to him, the initiative could support agricultural production, seed development, agro-processing, value addition, entrepreneurship, and employment creation.
If successfully developed, the proposed investment partnership could contribute to strengthening Liberia’s agricultural value chains, expanding domestic production, and improving market opportunities for local producers.
Bimba noted that such private-sector initiatives could complement the Liberian Government’s efforts to increase agricultural productivity, reduce dependence on imported food, and diversify the national economy.
Beyond his engagement with President Ruto, Bishop Bimba also participated in faith-based and business networking activities aimed at strengthening regional institutional partnerships.
His visit followed an invitation from Bishop Dr. Cilantro Odede, Presiding Bishop of CITAM and President of the Kenya Association of Evangelicals (KEA), to serve as a keynote speaker at the seventh edition of CBF 2026.
The engagement provided another platform for building relationships among faith-based institutions, entrepreneurs, and development actors interested in promoting economic empowerment and sustainable development across Africa.
Bimba Urges Government to Prioritize Made-in-Liberia Products
Meanwhile, Bishop Bimba has challenged the Government of Liberia to demonstrate stronger commitment to domestic economic development by deliberately prioritizing the purchase, promotion, and consumption of Made-in-Liberia products.
He argued that government institutions must lead by example by increasing their patronage of locally manufactured goods and agricultural commodities, particularly products supplied by Liberian farmers, processors, and small businesses.
According to him, a deliberate policy that encourages public institutions to purchase locally produced goods could stimulate domestic industries, create jobs, expand markets for farmers, and keep more financial resources circulating within the Liberian economy.
He emphasized that Liberia cannot achieve sustainable economic transformation while remaining heavily dependent on imported goods that could otherwise be produced domestically.
The CHAP CEO called for stronger public-private partnerships, increased investment in agricultural enterprises, and an enabling business environment that encourages local production and attracts responsible investment.
He maintained that domestic production must become a central pillar of Liberia’s economic development strategy, with agriculture playing a leading role in job creation, food security, and industrial growth.
“Liberia, there is hope for us. Let us prioritize domestic production if we want sustainable economic growth,” Bimba declared.
Strengthening Liberia’s Agricultural Investment Prospects
Bishop Bimba expressed optimism that his engagements in Kenya could generate meaningful partnerships capable of advancing Liberia’s agricultural transformation agenda.
He said the discussions with regional business leaders and other stakeholders have created opportunities for further dialogue on investment, market expansion, and technical cooperation.
While the proposed partnerships remain at the exploratory stage, Bimba believes sustained engagement with regional investors and private-sector institutions could help unlock Liberia’s agricultural potential.
His participation in the Kenyan summit also highlights the growing role of Liberian private-sector actors in pursuing international partnerships, promoting locally produced commodities, and positioning agriculture as a driver of national economic development.
For Bimba, Liberia’s long-term economic progress will depend not only on attracting foreign investment but also on strengthening domestic enterprises, empowering farmers, and building a competitive agricultural sector capable of serving both local and regional markets.
He concluded by extending goodwill to Liberia, Kenya, and the wider African continent, reaffirming his faith-driven commitment to service and development with the declaration.
