-President Highlights Prospective Investments, Scholarships and Expanded Diplomatic Ties, Urges National Unity as Government Pursues ARREST Agenda Through Strategic International Partnerships
ROBERTS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Margibi County – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has returned to Liberia following a high-level working visit to the Republic of Türkiye, declaring that the trip has opened new opportunities for investment, education and diplomatic cooperation as his administration intensifies efforts to attract foreign capital and reposition Liberia as a competitive destination for international business.
Speaking shortly after arriving at Roberts International Airport on Saturday, President Boakai described the visit as a productive step in Liberia’s economic diplomacy, saying discussions with Turkish leaders and investors focused on translating bilateral goodwill into tangible development outcomes for the Liberian people.
“There were talks around investments, education opportunities for Liberians by acquiring scholarships, and strengthening diplomatic relations through the establishment of a consulate and an embassy,” President Boakai told reporters upon his arrival.
According to the President, discussions also explored the establishment of a Turkish Consulate in Liberia and a Liberian diplomatic mission in Türkiye, initiatives he said would strengthen official engagement between the two countries while creating additional avenues for trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.
Investment Diplomacy at the Forefront
President Boakai’s visit formed part of his administration’s broader strategy of using international engagement to attract investment into priority sectors of the Liberian economy.
During his stay in Türkiye, the Liberian leader held bilateral talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, where the two leaders explored ways to deepen cooperation in areas including trade, infrastructure, agriculture, energy, education, healthcare and technical collaboration. The discussions also underscored both countries’ commitment to expanding a relationship that has steadily grown over recent years.
Beyond official meetings, President Boakai also engaged Turkish business leaders and potential investors, promoting Liberia’s natural resources, strategic Atlantic location and improving investment climate under the Government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
The administration has consistently maintained that attracting quality foreign direct investment remains central to creating jobs, expanding domestic production and accelerating economic growth.
The Türkiye mission therefore represented more than a diplomatic visit; it reflected Liberia’s continuing shift toward economic diplomacy—leveraging bilateral relationships to secure investments capable of supporting national development.
Education and Diaspora Engagement
Education also featured prominently during the President’s engagements.
While in Türkiye, President Boakai met with Liberian students pursuing higher education there, listening to concerns about their welfare and assuring them that his administration remains committed to strengthening engagement with Liberians studying abroad.
He pledged that the Government would review issues affecting the students while continuing efforts to expand scholarship opportunities for Liberians seeking quality education overseas.
The President described education as one of the most valuable long-term investments Liberia can make, emphasizing that developing skilled human capital is essential to achieving sustainable national development.
A Call for Unity at Home
Upon returning home, President Boakai used the occasion not only to highlight the outcomes of his foreign engagements but also to issue a fresh appeal for political cooperation at home.
He urged members of both the Executive and Legislative branches to place national interest above partisan or institutional differences, stressing that Liberia’s development depends on collaboration among all branches of government.
“Liberia is all that matters, and everyone who has come to government must know that Liberia comes first,” the President said.
“We need to work together at all times, because Liberia comes first in everything we have to achieve.”
His remarks come at a time when the administration continues to pursue key legislative and governance priorities requiring close coordination between the Executive and the National Legislature.
Building on a Growing Partnership
Liberia and Türkiye have steadily expanded bilateral relations over the past decade, with cooperation spanning education, commerce, humanitarian assistance and technical support.
Under President Boakai, the relationship is increasingly being framed through the lens of investment and economic transformation.
Government officials have repeatedly emphasized that Liberia is seeking partnerships that move beyond traditional aid toward sustainable trade, private sector investment and technology transfer.
The proposed establishment of permanent diplomatic missions in both countries is expected to facilitate stronger institutional engagement while making it easier for investors, students and businesses to access opportunities in each country.
Analysts say stronger diplomatic representation could also enhance cooperation in sectors such as aviation, agriculture, vocational training, manufacturing and infrastructure—areas where Turkish companies have established expertise across Africa.
Turning Commitments into Results
While no major commercial agreements were announced during the visit, the Boakai administration views the mission as laying important groundwork for future partnerships.
As Liberia continues implementing the ARREST Agenda, attracting credible international investors remains one of the Government’s key priorities for expanding employment, improving infrastructure and stimulating inclusive economic growth.
The success of the Türkiye visit, however, will ultimately be measured not by diplomatic meetings alone but by the investments, scholarships, commercial partnerships and development projects that emerge in the months ahead.
For President Boakai, the message upon returning home was clear: Liberia’s engagement with the world must produce tangible benefits for its citizens.
His administration now faces the task of translating the goodwill generated in Ankara into concrete opportunities capable of advancing economic transformation and improving the lives of ordinary Liberians.
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