The Governments of Japan and Liberia have formalized an exchange of notes to extend the Japan Freeway-Road corridor between the Freeport of Monrovia and the Gabriel Tucker Bridge on Johnson Street.
The official signing ceremony took place on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in the Minister’s conference room at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Liberia’s Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration, Dr. Ibrahim Al-bakri Nyei, hailed the signing ceremony as a significant milestone in the diplomatic, economic, cultural, and development cooperation between the Government of Liberia and the Government of Japan.
“This event today is a manifestation that Liberia-Japan relations continue to grow from strength to strength. We hope to maintain this momentum as we build solid bridges in our bilateral cooperation and strategic partnership on global issues,” he remarked.
Deputy Minister Nyei expressed gratitude to the government and people of Japan for their support and partnership over the years, which have been instrumental in revamping the economy and rebuilding infrastructure in the two decades since Liberia’s civil war ended. “Your support has helped educate and train civil servants and ordinary Liberians in private business, promote trade and investment, and contributed to the overall growth of the economy and the peace and stability of Liberia,” he said.
Deputy Minister Nyei also highlighted Japan’s KR Food Assistance, which, over the past decade, has been monetized to finance social and economic interventions in various Liberian communities.
He also pointed to the Japan Freeway – the 13.2 kilometers of four-lane urban road financed by Japan – noting that the construction of this road has improved the free flow of goods and people between suburban and urban communities, contributing to the overall economic development and well-being of Liberia.
He expressed his pleasure that the Government of Japan has agreed to extend the freeway, constructing an additional 1.9 kilometers of road from Freeport of Monrovia to the Gabriel Tucker Bridge, connecting central Monrovia to Bushrod Island.
Deputy Minister Nyei emphasized that this support will contribute significantly to the national development plan, the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), which focuses on Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism.
He stressed that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has made road construction and infrastructure development a cornerstone of this agenda.”The achievement of the objectives of the five-year ARREST Agenda will depend mainly on increasing economic activities and the growth of the Liberian private sector.
We aim to increase employment, reduce inflation, and stabilize the economy through a robust private sector.
We are therefore open to accelerating trade and investment cooperation with Japan in strategic sectors,” he added.
Concluding his remarks, Deputy Minister Nyei reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to strengthening its engagement with Japan.
“We want to strengthen our engagement to ensure a closer working relationship and a stronger partnership.
“He also took the opportunity to thank the Government of Japan for its endorsement of Liberia’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2026-2027 term, with elections set for June 2025.
“We are immensely grateful for this support, and we assure you that we will leverage our presence on the Security Council to uphold international law, promote women and youth in peace and security, fight for environmental justice, and support the campaign for a reform of the Security Council.
We are also aware of your own bid for the UNSC non-permanent seat for the 2033-2034 term, and in the spirit of our bilateral relationship, we fully endorse your candidacy,” Deputy Minister Nyei remarked.
During the event, Japan’s Ambassador to Liberia, Yoshimoto Hiroshi, noted that the road now known as the Japan Freeway has a history that Japan is proud to be associated with.
He recalled Japan’s support in 2013 and 2016 for the reconstruction of the first and second phases of what was then called Somali Drive.
“This new extension project will rehabilitate a 1.9-kilometer section of the Japan Freeway, easing congestion and improving connectivity for commuters,” Ambassador Yoshimoto stated.
He explained that the extension of the Japan Freeway aligns with Japan’s broader infrastructure agenda, emphasizing that Japan has consistently demonstrated its commitment to Africa’s development by prioritizing infrastructure that directly benefits local communities.
“Through development cooperation, Japan supports sustainable and inclusive infrastructure projects that enhance economic growth, improve livelihoods, and strengthen resilience,” he added.
Ambassador Yoshimoto extended his gratitude to all those who have worked tirelessly to bring the project to this stage – the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Public Works, JICA, the consultants and technical teams from Japan, and other involved stakeholders.
The ceremony was attended by Hon. Samuka Dunnoh, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Public Works; Charlyne A. Taylor, Assistant Minister for Afro-Asian Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ms. Suzuki Momoko, Country Representative of JICA Ghana office, among others.
