MONROVIA — In an address designed to mark Unity Day, Germany’s Ambassador to Liberia, Dr. Jakob Haselhuber, used the moment to paint a broad, hopeful portrait of Germany-Liberia relations. Against a backdrop of global volatility, he urged a partnership rooted in trust, mutual responsibility, and a vision for Liberia’s young people to shape the country’s economic future.
On October 6, 2025, at a ceremony marking the 35th anniversary of Day of German Unity, Haselhuber opened by acknowledging the current turmoil in world politics — from crises in Sudan and Gaza to Russia’s war against Ukraine — and underscored the importance of dependable partners in difficult times. “A high level of trust characterizes the relations between Germany and Liberia,” he said, noting that such trust is essential as both nations navigate shared global responsibilities.
Historical thread: A long-standing relationship with a legacy of trade
The ambassador traced nearly two centuries of interaction between Liberia and Germany, highlighting the growth from early trade to modern cooperation. He recalled that in 1855, a treaty of trade and friendship laid the groundwork for a durable relationship, and he described how iron ore shaped economic ties in the 20th century. Liberia’s exports to Germany and German involvement in Bong Mines were presented as emblematic of a “win-win” era in which German investment helped power Liberian industry.
Haselhuber did not shy from the difficult chapters in that history. He noted the closure of Bong Mines in 1990 and the broader upheavals Liberia faced during its civil conflict, contrasting that period with Germany’s own unification 35 years ago. The message, he implied, is clear: resilience and renewal are possible when trusted partners stand together.
Liberia’s current place on the world stage
The speech shifted to Liberia’s evolving role in global affairs. Haselhuber highlighted Liberia’s election to the United Nations Security Council in 2025 as a milestone for the country’s leadership on peace and security. He pointed to the leadership transition—from former President George Manneh Weah and Foreign Minister Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow-Nyanti—as evidence of ongoing political continuity and commitment to Liberia’s international responsibilities.
Investment climate and German Business in Liberia Haselhuber underscored that four fully or partly German-owned companies and banks — DHL, Access Bank, Cemenco, and Brussels Airlines — are active in Liberia’s strategic sectors, with other German-linked firms such as AJA Group and Aqualife engaging in imports and equipment purchases. He framed the question for Liberian audiences and German investors alike: what does the investment climate look like? He listed concerns stakeholders often raise — legal security, permits, land ownership, anti-corruption measures, and the social environment for workers and families — and urged constructive dialogue to improve the business environment.
A call for “trade, not aid” and the role of the diaspora
Echoing a familiar refrain in German development thinking, Haselhuber spoke about reducing dependency on development aid by empowering domestic entrepreneurship. He cited the ‘Mittelstand’ as a model for sustainable growth and urged Liberia to expand vocational and higher education to nurture a workforce capable of leading value-added industries. He also called on the Liberian diaspora in the United States to invest in Liberia, calling it an act of “economic patriotism” that can complement public investment.
Education, youth, and the future
Central to Haselhuber’s remarks was a direct appeal to Liberia’s youth. The ambassador invited young people to take ownership of their future, emphasizing education, investment, and peaceful, cooperative national progress as the path to prosperity. “Rise up. Take the destiny of your family, your community, and your country to your own hands. Educate. Invest. Promote peace and understanding. Contribute to the greater good,” he urged, closing with a refrain that echoed across the room.
Closing note
Haselhuber concluded with a reaffirmation of long-standing bonds: “Long live Liberia. Long live Germany. Long live the Liberian-German relations. Long live Europe.” His closing words framed Unity Day not only as a celebration of partnership but as a call to action for continued cooperation in health, education, infrastructure, and sustainable development.
