IPNEWS: Michiel van der Merwe, Chief Executive Officer, ArcelorMittal Liberia, says Liberia has all ingredients required to compete in the global economy.
Speaking at the just ended Liberia International Mining and Energy Conference and Expo (LIMEC 2026), Michiel van der Merwe, Chief Executive Officer of ArcelorMittal Liberia, underscored that the country possesses the critical ingredients—such as immense natural resources and strategic regional positioning—to be a powerful competitor in the global economy.
ArcelorMittal has backed this perspective by naming Liberia one of its top three global investment priorities, alongside the United States and India.
ArcelorMittal has scaled-up commitments to Liberia’s industrial infrastructure by investing nearly US$4 billion in Liberia’s iron ore sector since 2005.
Approximately US$800 million of the budget has gone directly toward a complete overhaul and expansion of the government-owned 243-kilometer railway (linking Nimba County mines to the coast) and modernization of the Buchanan port facilities.
The investment funded West Africa’s largest iron ore concentrator plant. This milestone facility upgrades lower-grade local ore into premium, high-grade concentrate required by modern steelmakers aiming to cut carbon emissions.
The capital injection is designed to exponentially scale production, moving Liberia from a peripheral regional asset to a massive global exporter with Production targeted to hit 20 million tonnes annually by early 2027, up from under 5 million tonnes in 2024.
The company is actively designing a phase to push future mine production to 30 million tonnes.
Van der Merwe emphasized that the project’s success is tied heavily to sustainable local partnerships, stating: “It is an investment in jobs, skills and local businesses. Most importantly, it is an investment in Liberia’s future.”
The operations support over 11,700 direct jobs, with Liberian citizens making up 89% of the total workforce.
The company has contributed US$53.2 million to the County Social Development Fund (CSDF) to improve education, healthcare, and public services across Bong, Grand Bassa, and Nimba counties.
Mr. Michiel van der Merwe, Chief Executive Officer of ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML), I strongly advocating for enhanced collaboration and commitment to accelerate Liberia’s investment climate.
He highlighted how strategic alignment between the private sector and the Liberian government serves as a catalyst for economic transformation.
Mr. Van der Merwe, outlined key pillars of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s strategy to enhance the local investment climate including the company’s total footprint in the country is approaching US$4 billion, which includes a landmark US$800 million investment dedicated to rehabilitating and expanding the government-owned Tokadeh-to-Buchanan railway and port systems.
To improve the overall business environment, van der Merwe emphasized that the newly upgraded rail network is structured under a multi-user framework. This allows other mining companies to utilize the network, fostering competitive regional trade and easing logistical bottlenecks for the wider industry.
The launch of West Africa’s largest iron ore concentrator plant under AML’s Phase II Expansion is set to skyrocket Liberia’s export value, with shipping capacities projected to clear 20 million tons by 2027.
Additionally, Mr. Van der Merwe pointed to the passage of the Third Amended Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) as a definitive sign to global markets that Liberia is a prime, stable, and business-friendly destination for long-term capital.
