Starting a Business - Liberia

Foreign investors may fully own or partner with Liberians to control business entities in most sectors. However, a list of small-scale activities — including taxi operation, gas stations, peddling, retail sale of rice/cement/timber, and importation of used clothing or cars — is reserved exclusively for Liberian citizens under the 2010 Investment Act.

The 2010 Investment Act requires a minimum of USD 500,000 in total invested capital for enterprises owned exclusively by non-Liberians, and at least USD 300,000 for joint ventures in which Liberian partners hold a minimum 25% aggregate shareholding.

A company is registered at the Liberia Business Registry (lbr.gov.lr) in approximately five steps: name reservation, document preparation (Articles of Incorporation, director/shareholder IDs), submission to LBR, fee payment, and issuance of a Certificate of Incorporation. The process typically takes one to four weeks. Business registrations must be renewed annually.

The National Investment Commission (NIC) is the principal regulatory body that screens and monitors foreign investments, promotes investment, and enforces compliance with the Investment Act, including minimum capital thresholds.

The Liberian constitution restricts freehold land ownership to citizens who can demonstrate 'Negro descent,' so foreign investors and foreign-owned companies cannot own land. Long-term leasehold arrangements are available to non-citizens.

The U.S. State Department's 2025 Investment Climate Statement identifies corruption, lack of transparency in contract awards, weak rule of law, and low skilled-labour supply as the primary deterrents to foreign investment, sometimes requiring foreign investors to engage local legal counsel or agents to navigate bureaucratic processes effectively.