“Reliable infrastructure is key to unlocking Liberia’s economic growth,” tweeted U.S. Senior Advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos, radiating optimism about President Joseph Boakai’s push for a multi-user railway. He hailed Liberia’s “progress” as a pivotal step for attracting American investment and jumpstarting development. However, this optimism clashes with the harsh realities of corporate power and legal complexities on the ground in Liberia.
The 250-km Yekepa–Buchanan railway, once the pride of Liberia’s iron ore economy, is at the heart of the dispute. ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) holds exclusive operational rights under its 2005 Mineral Development Agreement (MDA), valid until 2030. Despite expressing willingness to allow shared use, AML’s proposed terms-full operational control, guaranteed revenue protections, and veto powers-essentially lock out competition. Any government move to force open access risks international arbitration, a financial burden Liberia cannot afford.
Meanwhile, U.S.-backed High Power Exploration (HPX) is aggressively campaigning for access to the railway to export iron ore from Guinea through Liberia. With heavyweight lobbyists and deep ties in Washington, HPX’s efforts have contributed to sanctions on key officials after earlier negotiations collapsed. HPX is gambling big with its $5 billion “Liberty Corridor” proposal, but it’s a risky bet reliant on an unratified Guinean export deal.
President Boakai’s ARREST Agenda, promising jobs and infrastructure, hinges on resolving this deadlock. His administration envisions an independent railway operator servicing all players-HPX, agricultural exporters, and passenger lines. However, AML’s legal threats and HPX’s lobbying efforts complicate this vision. AML’s MDA renegotiations offer a leverage point for Boakai, but delicate negotiations are required to avoid lawsuits and foreign pressure.
A possible compromise involves shared rail management under neutral oversight. This solution would demand transparency, political will, and significant public engagement-qualities Liberia’s political class has historically struggled to muster. As the dispute intensifies, Liberia’s economic future hangs in the balance, with indecision threatening long-term stagnation.
Boulos’ optimistic depiction of “progress” resonates with Washington, but in Monrovia, the real challenges are just beginning. The question isn’t simply whether Liberia can allow multi-users on its railways; it’s whether they can do so without being railroaded by entrenched interests.